Interstate Gang Cheating 500+ via Online Betting Busted in Etawah
Etawah police arrested a four-member gang for cheating over 500 people of crores via online gaming and betting scams.
In a major crackdown on cyber-enabled financial fraud, the Etawah Police on Thursday dismantled an interstate gang accused of swindling more than 500 individuals out of crores of rupees. The gang operated a sophisticated racket involving online gaming and illegal betting activities, spreading its influence across multiple districts.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava confirmed the arrest of four suspects during a coordinated operation. The group, which had been active for nearly a year, utilized a complex web of fake identities and bank accounts to facilitate their illegal transactions.
The Arrests and the Modus Operandi
The police identified the four arrested individuals as Anshul (alias Hansu Tiwari), Rakhi Ranawat, Ankit Mishra, and Mohit. The gang's membership spanned several regions, with two members hailing from Etawah, one from Mainpuri, and the fourth from Auraiya.
According to the SSP, the gang employed a predatory tactic to target unsuspecting victims, particularly in rural areas. They would approach villagers with the lure of easy commissions, convincing them to hand over their identity documents. The gang then used these documents to:
- Procure fake SIM cards.
- Open various bank accounts in the names of the villagers.
- Operate online gaming and betting platforms through these hijacked identities.
Once the illegal betting proceeds were routed through these accounts, the gang members would withdraw the cash using ATM cards, effectively laundering the money before dividing the loot among themselves or transferring it to other hidden accounts.
Massive Seizure of Digital and Financial Assets
The operation, carried out by the Civil Lines police station in collaboration with the Special Operations Group (SOG) and surveillance teams, resulted in the recovery of a significant amount of incriminating evidence. The seized items include:
- 16 mobile phones and 6 fake SIM cards.
- 42 ATM and debit cards.
- A laptop and various bank passbooks and cheque books.
- A detailed register documenting their illicit transactions.
- Two vehicles believed to have been purchased using the proceeds of the fraud.
A Moving Target: How the Gang Evaded Detection
The investigation revealed that the gang was highly cautious of law enforcement. To avoid detection, they would temporarily suspend their operations whenever they sensed police pressure or learned that a formal complaint had been lodged. Once the heat died down, they would resume their illegal activities.
"Based on the documents we've found so far, over 500 people have been scammed by them. However, this number could go up," stated SSP Srivastava, noting that the group had been operating for the last 8 to 10 months.
Strict Legal Action Ahead
The Etawah police are not stopping at these four arrests. Investigators suspect a much larger network is involved, and efforts are underway to identify further accomplices. The authorities have announced plans to invoke the Gangster Act against the accused. Furthermore, legal proceedings will be initiated to confiscate properties that were allegedly acquired through the proceeds of these criminal activities.
In recognition of the successful intelligence-led operation, the SSP announced a reward of ₹20,000 for the police personnel involved, specifically praising the contributions of the SOG and the surveillance teams.