Cyber Fraud Gang Member Arrested in Varanasi After Fake Online Gold and Cash Scams

VARANASI, INDIA — Police in the Badagaon area of Varanasi have arrested a member of an alleged cyber fraud gang accused of duping unsuspecting victims using fake online gold deals and displays of currency note bundles.

The suspect was apprehended on Tuesday evening after a alert cyber café operator, who had previously been targeted by the gang, recognized the accused and raised an alarm with the help of local residents.

Suspicious QR Code Transaction Triggers Investigation

The scam unravelled following a complaint logged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal by Ricky Roshan, a local cyber café operator.

Roshan reported that his bank account had been placed on hold after a suspicious transaction of ₹15,300 was recorded on July 17. On that date, a man visited the cafe, claimed to have made an online payment by scanning a QR code, and withdrew cash from the operator. The fraudulent nature of the digital transfer subsequently caused bank authorities to freeze the café owner's account.

Cafe Owner Raises Alarm as Suspect Returns

On Tuesday evening, the suspect returned to the same cyber café in Badagaon and attempted to repeat the scheme, seeking hard cash after claiming to execute an online transaction.

Recognizing the individual from the earlier incident, Roshan immediately alerted nearby shopkeepers and residents. Together, they detained the suspect on the spot and handed him over to responding Badagaon police officers. Two of his alleged accomplices managed to flee the scene before police units arrived.

Identity, Modus Operandi, and Ongoing Raids

The arrested individual has been identified as Alok Singh (40), a resident of Gopalapur in Jaunpur district.

During preliminary interrogation, police revealed the following details:

• Gang Network: Alok Singh named two key associates—Hemant Singh and Satish Singh—who actively operated the fraud ring alongside him.

• Modus Operandi: The gang gained the trust of targets by showing lucrative online gold deals and displaying physical bundles of cash.

• Prior Victims: Investigators believe the gang cheated another victim of ₹85,000 on July 17 using a similar deceptive scheme, subsequently trying to launder the digital money into physical cash via local cyber kiosks.