Shubham Singh, the alleged mastermind of a multi-state cyber fraud network, was arrested by the Cyber Crime Cell in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, police officials said on 14 June. The gang is accused of defrauding victims of nearly ₹2.5 crore by peddling fake loan schemes, bogus investment plans, and fraudulent tour packages across the country.

How the Fraud Operated

According to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ayush Srivastava, the accused lured victims seeking loans under the guise of a fake entity named 'Bajaj Run Tour and Travels'. Once a target expressed interest, Singh would pose as an executive and collect processing fees, application fees, and registration charges — then cut off all contact.

'He used to fool people in the name of loans and tour and travels. If somebody applied for a loan, he used to take money in the name of processing fee, application fee and registration fee and later block the individual,' ASP Srivastava said.

Singh's brother, sister, and brother-in-law reportedly handled initial outreach, particularly targeting people in Mumbai who were seeking loans. The family-run operation is said to have been active since 2021.

What Police Recovered

During the arrest, investigators seized approximately ₹1.50 lakh in cash, six mobile phones, 15 ATM cards, nine bank passbooks, seven cheque books, fake Aadhaar cards, and fraudulent SIM cards — all allegedly used to operate multiple bank accounts and execute fraudulent transactions.

ASP Srivastava confirmed that police have traced around ₹2 crore across several bank accounts linked to the accused. Singh and his brother each hold 10 bank accounts, the company holds an additional 10 accounts, and a further ₹2 crore in transactions has been traced to the sister's account.

Scale and Multi-State Links

Investigators say the network targeted thousands of victims nationwide, with more than 20 complaints already registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Police have also established links to cyber fraud cases registered in Maharashtra and several other states, suggesting the operation extended well beyond Uttar Pradesh.

Notably, forged identity documents and fake SIM cards were central to the scheme, enabling the accused to open and operate multiple bank accounts without detection.

Investigation Status

Police have identified Singh's family members as accomplices and are pursuing further leads. A technical investigation and surveillance operation preceded the arrest. Authorities say the probe into the broader network and its associates remains ongoing.