Lucknow: A joint team of the Surveillance Cell and Kaiserbagh Police has busted a suspected cyber fraud network in Lucknow, arresting two people and taking four juveniles into protective custody.
The police recovered six ATM cards belonging to different banks, five mobile phones, a Jio SIM card, a BharatPe One swiping machine, ₹5,600 in cash and a motorcycle allegedly used in the operation.
In a significant financial action, police also managed to have ₹3.28 crore linked to the suspected cyber fraud placed on hold or debit-frozen across six State Bank of India (SBI) accounts, based on information obtained during the investigation.
Hotel Room Raid Leads to First Breakthrough
According to police, on September 3, 2026, the Kaiserbagh Police received information from a confidential informant that several people staying in Room No. 101 of Ashirwad Hotel on Latouche Road were allegedly involved in cyber fraud.
The suspects were allegedly luring people into opening bank accounts and then using those accounts to receive money generated through cyber fraud. The funds were subsequently withdrawn through ATMs, police said.
Acting on the information, a police team reached the hotel and searched the room. Five people were found inside. During the search, officers allegedly recovered a black backpack containing six ATM cards, a Jio SIM card, a BharatPe One swiping machine and two passbooks.
Four of the five individuals were found to be juveniles, while the fifth identified himself as Ritesh Singh, 21, a resident of Devkuli village in Gopalganj district, Bihar. A mobile phone and cash were allegedly recovered from his possession.
Suspects Allegedly Worked Through Mule Accounts
During questioning, the suspects allegedly told investigators that money obtained through cyber fraud was routed into mule bank accounts. The funds were then withdrawn through ATMs and deposited into other SBI accounts, allegedly in exchange for commissions.
Police also received information about the involvement of Prince Kushwaha, a resident of Lucknow, in the alleged network. Acting on the information and based on the suspects’ disclosures, police subsequently arrested Kushwaha.
Police identified the second accused as Prince Kushwaha, 19, son of Brijendra Kumar, a resident of Dighia under Kakori police station in Lucknow.
₹3.28 Crore Frozen in Six SBI Accounts
Investigators subsequently examined bank accounts associated with the suspected operation. Based on the information obtained during the investigation, police had ₹3.28 crore linked to cyber fraud held or debit-frozen in six SBI accounts.
The action is expected to prevent the suspected fraud proceeds from being withdrawn or transferred while the investigation continues.
‘Lured by Quick Money and Lavish Lifestyle’
During interrogation, the accused and juveniles allegedly told police that they became involved in cyber fraud after being attracted by the prospect of earning large amounts of money quickly and maintaining a lavish lifestyle.
They were allegedly told that money generated through online fraud would be transferred into mule accounts and that there was little likelihood of them being caught. Police said the lure of easy money eventually led them to participate in the alleged operation.
Police Recover Digital and Financial Evidence
The items recovered during the operation include:
- Six ATM cards belonging to different banks
- Five mobile phones
- One Jio SIM card
- One swiping machine
- ₹5,600 in cash
- One motorcycle allegedly used in the operation
- Two passbooks recovered from the hotel room
The recovered devices, banking instruments and account information are expected to form part of the continuing investigation into the suspected cyber fraud network.
The two arrested accused, Ritesh Singh and Prince Kushwaha, are being produced before the competent court. The juveniles are being dealt with in accordance with the applicable juvenile justice procedure and will be presented before the Juvenile Justice Board.
The operation was conducted by personnel from Kaiserbagh Police, the Cyber Cell and the Surveillance Cell of the Western Zone of Lucknow Police.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
