Sonbhadra Cyber Fraud: 3 Nabbed in Rs 2.37 Crore Scam
Police arrest three men in Sonbhadra for a massive cyber fraud involving Rs 2.37 crore and 35 separate complaints via a trust account.
In a major crackdown on digital crime, the Sonbhadra police have dismantled a cyber fraud operation, arresting three individuals linked to a staggering scam totaling Rs 2.37 crore. The operation culminated in a series of arrests on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as authorities closed in on the suspects near the Dudhi railway station complex road at around 6:40 a.m.
The Mastermind and Accomplices
The police have identified the primary suspect as Harikesh Pandey, also known as Rishikesh. A resident of Bag Baghi village in the Naugarh police station area of Chandauli district, Pandey is alleged to be the central figure in the fraudulent scheme. During his arrest, police recovered three mobile phones from his possession, which are expected to be crucial pieces of evidence in the ongoing probe.
Two other associates were also apprehended in the sweep: Anjani Kumar, hailing from Mahuariya village in the Dudhi Kotwali area, and Vedant Maurya, a resident of Rajkhar village.
The 'Satya Sanatan Trust' Connection
The investigation reveals a sophisticated attempt to mask illegal transactions using a religious or charitable front. The fraud centered around a bank account registered under the name 'Satya Sanatan Trust'.
The scale of the deception came to light when authorities analyzed the account and discovered suspicious transactions amounting to approximately Rs 2.37 crore. Further digging revealed that this single account was linked to 35 separate complaints of cyber fraud, suggesting a wide network of victims.
How the Scam Was Uncovered
The breakthrough occurred on October 16, when the irregular activities were flagged during a routine review of suspicious bank accounts on the Coordination (JMIS) portal. This digital red flag prompted the police to launch a deeper investigation into the trust's financial dealings.
Legal Action and Police Operation
The case was formally registered at the Cyber Police Station following a complaint by Cyber Station In-charge Dhirendra Kumar Chaudhary. The suspects face serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically sections 318(4), 336(3), 338, and 340(2), alongside Section 66D of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
The high-stakes operation was executed under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma, with supervision provided by:
- Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Rishabh Runwal
- Circle Officer (Cyber) Harsh Pandey
- Circle Officer (Dudhi) Vinay Prabhakar Sahni
Dudhi Kotwali Station House Officer Vishwanath Pratap Singh confirmed that all three suspects have been produced before the court as the police continue to investigate the full extent of the fraud network.