Lucknow police have made a big catch in the fight against online crime by arresting three people involved in a fraud that stole ₹34 lakh from a man in 2022. The criminals used Facebook ads to trick people into thinking they could get profitable gas agency or petrol pump deals.
The 2022 Scam That Sparked the Case
The scam started in 2022 when a man named Kuldeep Kumar from Lucknow was convinced by the fraudsters to send money for a dealership.
He followed their instructions and sent several payments. But after waiting a long time for the promised documents and approvals, he realized he had been scammed. He finally reported the case to the police after almost a year.
Police say this kind of delay is common in online fraud.
People often wait hoping their money will pay off, only to find out later they were cheated.
Cyber Fraud Gang
The group was organized and worked in several states, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
They created fake social media pages and posts that looked like real dealership ads. They also used fake documents, seals, and even call centers to make themselves seem real.
The gang is believed to have started in Thalpos village in Nawada district, Bihar.
This area has been linked to over 100 cyber scams recently. Many local youth have moved from small crimes to bigger digital frauds, using social media to find victims.
Special police teams, including the cyber cell, tracked the group for weeks.
They used digital footprints, phone records, and bank details to find three people:
Lucknow Police Crush Cyber Fraud Gang
Sintu Kumar (24), from Nawada, Bihar
Kishu (26), from Nawada, Bihar
Pravesh Kumar (25), from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh
These three were arrested in a joint operation.
They admitted to being part of the gang and said four more people are still on the run. The police are now searching for them in Bihar and other states.
This case shows how big the problem of cybercrime has become in India.
Criminals are moving from old scams like fake lottery wins and job offers to more complex frauds such as fake dealerships and investment opportunities.
Police say these scammers use people’s dreams and worries about money to trick them.
In this case, the promise of a steady business like a petrol pump or gas station was enough to get someone to send all their money.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, cybercrime in India has gone up a lot, and most of these crimes involve money.
Police stress the importance of reporting scams early so that bank accounts can be frozen and money can be recovered.
A senior Lucknow police officer said:
“This arrest warns all cybercriminals that we are always watching and will find every member of this gang.
Citizens should be careful and check any online offer before paying anything.”
The officer also advised people to call the 1930 cyber helpline if they think they’ve been scammed.
Reporting quickly helps recover lost money.
The police believe the arrested people are part of other scams in different states.
They are looking at the devices, documents, and bank records they seized. Four more suspects are still missing, and efforts are on to catch them.
Authorities are working with cyber units in Delhi and Bihar to break up the bigger group behind these scams.
Officials have given the public clear advice:
Don’t believe any online franchise offers without checking them thoroughly.
Talk to the real company before agreeing to any business deal.
Never send big money without a real contract or official papers.
Report any strange transactions to the police or call the 1930 helpline right away.
The arrests by Lucknow police not only help the victim but also show how dangerous cybercrime is in India.
There are still four people missing, and the investigation continues across many states.
About the Author
