Jaunpur Police Bust Interstate Cyber Fraud Gang; Rs 1.55 Crore Frozen
Jaunpur police arrested three suspects and froze Rs 1.55 crore in a massive interstate cyber fraud involving WhatsApp hacking.
In a major crackdown on digital crime, the Jaunpur Cyber Crime Police have dismantled an extensive interstate gang specialized in hacking mobile phones and WhatsApp accounts to siphon off massive sums of money. The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the freezing of approximately Rs 1.55 crore across various bank accounts.
The WhatsApp Hacking Scam
The investigation was triggered by a high-stakes complaint filed on October 8, 2026. A victim reported that unknown cybercriminals had successfully hacked their manager's WhatsApp account. Using the hijacked account, the perpetrators engaged in deceptive chatting to coerce the victim into transferring a staggering Rs 75 million. The fraudulent transactions saw Rs 45 million deposited into one account and Rs 30 million into another.
Rapid Police Action and Arrests
Under the direct supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Yashvir Singh, a specialized task force—comprising units from Cyber Crime, Surveillance, and SWAT—was deployed to track the culprits. Through advanced technical investigation and digital leads, the police managed to track down and arrest the suspects within just 72 hours.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Vinod Kumar Mishra (Resident of Maharajganj)
- Lavkesh Kumar Singh (Resident of Barabanki)
- Kamal Yadav (Resident of Maharajganj)
Modus Operandi: Commission-Based Money Laundering
Police investigations revealed a sophisticated network used to launder stolen funds. The gang allegedly solicited individuals to open bank accounts in exchange for a commission. These "mule" accounts were then used to receive and wash fraudulent money from victims across the country.
A deep dive into the bank accounts linked to the suspects uncovered transactions totaling approximately Rs 1.83 crore. These accounts were flagged in connection with multiple complaints originating from several states, including:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Tamil Nadu
- Bihar
Evidence Seized and Victim Redressal
During the raid, authorities seized three Android mobile phones, a Nepali mobile number, and a checkbook used in the commission of these crimes. The police are currently investigating the criminal histories of the suspects and are working through the legal process to return the defrauded funds to the rightful victims.
Public Advisory: The Jaunpur Police have issued a stern warning to the public against the dangerous practice of allowing others to use their bank accounts for a commission. To prevent falling victim to such scams, citizens are urged to report any cyber fraud immediately by calling the helpline 1930 or by filing a report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.