Varanasi: Cyber Crime Crackdown in Sarnath
In a notable operation on Sunday, authorities in Varanasi made significant strides in combating cybercrime. A collaborative effort between the cyber crime cell and the Sarnath police led to the dismantling of a gang notorious for deceiving unemployed youths under the guise of job offers. The operation underscores the growing concern surrounding cyber fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals seeking employment.
The Modus Operandi of the Gang
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Cyber Crime and Sarnath, Vidush Saxena, the gang strategically reached out to unemployed youths, luring them with promises of lucrative positions in network marketing. Operating like a call center, the criminals employed several tactics to ensnare their victims into a web of deceit. They compelled these job seekers to partake in dubious cyber fraud activities under the pretense of recruitment.
Victims were contacted through a fraudulent company falsely identifying itself as the "RRMV Institute." The gang utilized various methods, including a misleading website and targeted phone calls, to attract potential candidates. Once engaged, victims were required to pay a fee of ₹2,850, purportedly for accommodation, training, and a starter kit of clothes. However, as investigations revealed, no legitimate job roles were ever defined, and the addresses given on documents were fabricated.
Arrests and Recoveries
The police’s decisive action culminated in the arrest of 11 individuals linked to the scheme. These arrests spanned across different regions, including Sultanpur, Prayagraj, Bihar, Mumbai, and even Jharkhand. The detainees included Aman Verma (30), Anurag (19), and Pradeep Kumar (20), among others. Alongside the arrests, police recovered a trove of incriminating evidence: 22 fake digital appointment letters, 19 room management forms, and 10 mobile phones, all instrumental in perpetuating the scam.
Moreover, the operation led to the rescue of 38 young individuals, including 14 women, who had been entrapped by the gang under false promises of jobs in network marketing related to textiles. The victims revealed startling details about their ordeal, including strict isolation from outside communication and threats to dissuade them from involving law enforcement.
Inside the Recruitment Process
The intricacies of the gang’s recruitment process shed light on how cyber criminals exploit the aspirations of job seekers. Once individuals were encouraged to join, they were coerced into recruiting additional victims as part of a pyramid-like system. For every new recruit added to the network, participants would earn a commission, creating a cycle of exploitation. The gang also preyed on the desperate nature of many job seekers, often manipulating them into paying for an unfulfilled promise of "incentives" as well.
According to the ACP, victims were issued uniforms costing between ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, further embedding them into the fraudulent structure under the guise of commitment to their "new jobs."
The Police Response
In response to evolving complaints from potential victims who managed to escape, a police task force, led by DCP Varuna Zone Pramod Kumar, executed a raid in Shrikrishna Nagar Colony within the Pahadiya area of Sarnath. This decisive action was paramount in shutting down the illegal operations of the gang, although investigations revealed that the building’s owner was not complicit in the activities.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of public vigilance, especially in light of the increasing sophistication of cyber scams. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences that can arise from unmet job expectations and the lengths to which cybercriminals will go to exploit human vulnerability.
As Varanasi grapples with the realities of cybercrime, this incident underscores the necessity for ongoing cooperation between law enforcement and the public. The focus remains not only on prosecuting offenders but also on raising awareness and protecting job seekers from future scams.
