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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Rae Bareli cops arrest 4 members of Raj-based cyber gang impersonating bureaucrats on social media
Lucknow: Rae Bareli police, with support from the Cyber Cell and Special Operations Group (SOG), on Sunday busted an interstate cyber gang that specialised in creating fake social media profiles of senior police and administrative officers to extort money from gullible victims. Four gang members were arrested during a coordinated raid in Rajasthan's Alwar district, while two mobile phones used for the fraudulent activities were seized. Rae Bareli SP Yashveer Singh revealed that the gang recently created a fake Facebook account using his name and photo to deceive his acquaintances. "This gang was targeting people connected to senior officers. By carefully scanning the social media profiles of officers, they identified friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and then sent messages demanding money in emergency situations," he said. Rae Bareli additional SP Sanjeev Sinha said that the gang had been operating out of Alwar for a considerable time and has a track record of similar cyber frauds across states. Prior to targeting Yashveer Singh, they also created a fake account of many IGs of Jammu & Kashmir Police and extorted money. Police suspect the gang to have impersonated multiple officials, including bureaucrats and senior officers, to dupe unsuspecting contacts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo The four arrested men have been identified as Lalit Chandra, a resident of Nagal Tappa Nana Bagad Tiraha; Sahil Khan, of Pali village; Jalsingh and Sahil Lal of Kiriria village—all located in Alwar district, Rajasthan. This operation comes after Rae Bareli police arrested three other members of the same gang on July 3. The earlier arrests took place near GIC College in Rae Bareli, where Narveer Singh (from Ballabhgarh in Haryana's Faridabad), Rashmuddin (from Bagaur Ismailpur, Alwar), and Basir Ahmed (from Naugawan in Rajasthan's Alwar) were caught red-handed while attempting to withdraw money linked to the fake SP's account. Their interrogation provided critical leads, which eventually led police teams to Alwar. Police are now interrogating the arrested men to identify other members of this well-spread cyber network. "We are mapping their operations and financial transactions. Their modus operandi shows that they operate in a highly organised manner, using fake IDs of officers to exploit public trust," the SP added. The arrests highlight a growing trend where cybercriminals exploit the credibility of high-ranking officials on social media. Authorities have urged citizens to verify any financial requests, even if they appear to come from known officers, before making any payments.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Truck carrying govt-supplied wheat seized in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: A truck carrying govt-supplied wheat was seized by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the city crime branch in the Naroda area early on Friday, exposing suspected diversion of public distribution grain. Police constable Mihir Banesingh spotted a parked truck near the urban health centre in Ganpati Mandir Lane in Naroda during routine patrolling. He and two other constables approached the truck driver, Jesa Damor, who said he was transporting wheat. On further questioning, and after reviewing photographs of the truck and sacks, food and civil supplies department officers were called to the spot. Assistant food control officer A M Jadav and zonal officer S N Chaudhary reached the location. In the presence of police and independent witnesses, they verified that the 197 sacks on board were wheat meant for public distribution. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The truck was being operated by Satnam Enterprise, and the driver reportedly he was working under the instruction of one Babu Mansuri, police sources said. The consignment was not supported by valid govt documents. Officials estimated the wheat weighed 11,820kg and was valued at approximately Rs 3.3 lakh. The truck used in the transportation, valued around Rs 10 lakh, was also seized. Four grain samples were collected by officials for further testing. No transit pass, official public distribution system (PDS) documents or invoices from the govt warehouse were found in the driver's possession. An FIR was registered under Sections 316(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for breach of trust and cheating, along with Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. SOG police have begun an investigation into Satnam Enterprise and others involved in the suspected illegal diversion of public food grains. Officials stated that further questioning of the driver and company records would reveal whether more people are linked to the racket.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
SOG busts LPG stealing racket in Panigate, one held
Vadodara: The Special Operations Group (SOG) on Sunday unearthed an illegal LPG cylinder refilling racket and arrested one person from the Panigate area of the city. The accused, identified as Allarakha Sindhi, was allegedly siphoning gas from filled LPG cylinders at his residence and transferring it into empty ones, which were then sold in the black market. Acting on a tip-off, the SOG team raided his premises and seized multiple LPG cylinders along with the equipment used for illegal gas transfer. Police officials said the operation posed a significant threat to public safety. "The accused was endangering the lives of people in the vicinity. A minor gas leak could have led to a major fire or explosion," said an official.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Serial rapist killed in UP encounter with UP Police in Farrukhabad
Kanpur/Lucknow: A serial criminal accused of raping and murdering an 18-year-old girl was killed in an encounter with UP Police in Mohammadabad area in Farrukhabad's Fatehgarh on Friday. The accused, identified as Manu Subhash (55), was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on any information leading to his arrest. He sustained bullet injuries during a gunfight with police and was taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead during treatment. According to police, Manu was a habitual offender with a history of targeting minors. "He had a criminal mindset and was involved in several heinous crimes, including murder, kidnappings for ransom, and sexual assaults," officials said. Fatehgarh superintendent of police Arti Singh said that the accused had multiple criminal cases registered against him under serious charges such as murder, kidnapping for ransom, and Pocso Act provisions. Police added that Manu was wanted in a recent case of rape and murder of an 18-year-old girl, which led to an extensive manhunt. Singh confirmed that the body of the victim, missing since June 27, was discovered on June 28 in a Devipur village field, under Bhogaon police station in neighbouring Mainpuri. A medical examination confirmed sexual assault, though the precise cause of death remains undetermined. The medical team preserved viscera samples for additional tests. The victim, a farmer's daughter from the Qayamganj police station area, was staying at her aunt's residence in a village under Mohammadabad police jurisdiction since June 3. She disappeared on June 27 while collecting mangoes with her aunt's granddaughter. After unsuccessful search efforts, the family registered an abduction case at Mohammadabad police station. The following day, Bhogaon police of Mainpuri received information about a body found near a canal in Devipur village. Senior police officials, including Mainpuri SP Ganesh Prasad Saha and CO Satyaprakash Sharma, investigated the scene. Thereafter, the Mainpuri police informed Farrukhabad police about the body. The Farrukhabad police then apprised the girl's parents, who identified the body. The investigation revealed CCTV footage of the suspect cycling with the girl walking behind, said the police. Local sources identified him as Manu Subhash, who used to collect empty bottles and scrap materials around the town. Following the post-mortem, the body was released to the family. The murder of the minor sparked tension, and her family members and locals blocked the Farrukhabad-Delhi road for 90 minutes. They lifted the blockade only after SDM Ravindra Singh's intervention. On Friday morning, the Farrukhabad police received information that Manu was hiding in a forest area behind the Khatu Shyam temple on Bewar Road in Mohammadabad. A plan was devised under the guidance of ADG Kanpur Zone Alok Singh, IG Harish Chandra, SP Fatehgarh Aarti Singh, and ASP Dr Sanjay Singh. A team of 19 members, led by SOG in-charge Sachin Chaudhary and inspector Vinod Kumar Shukla, executed the operation. After sustaining injuries, Manu was pronounced dead at the district hospital. Police recovered various items from him, including a pistol, ammunition, bank documents, and some cash. The victim's father said, "Police have given justice to my daughter. No punishment less than death is suitable for such a criminal." Police records showed Manu had five criminal cases, including a 1999 murder case, and charges related to assault, SC/ST, and Arms Act violations. Local sources described him as unmarried, drug-dependent, and frequently involved in altercations. Candies, lies & darkness: How serial rapist hunted your girls Lucknow/Kanpur: Manu Subhash, a 55-year-old rag picker, lived a life that seemed unremarkable to those who passed him by each day. Unmarried and solitary, he roamed the streets, collecting discarded items to sell for a meagre living. But beneath this unassuming exterior lay a sinister secret, said a senior police officer. He was lodged in jail in 2017 in a case of kidnapping and abduction for ransom and was out of jail in 2023. He again began indulging in the criminal act of luring minor girls and raping them. Explaining his modus operandi, a senior officer privy to the probe said that preliminary profiling by investigators suggests Subhash worked as a rag picker, a routine that gave him daytime access to residential lanes, village margins, school routes, and waste collection points without arousing suspicion. Police say he would "recce" potential locations during the day, noting where children gathered, especially in semi-urban pockets with low adult supervision. At night—or in low-surveillance evening hours—he allegedly returned to these spots carrying cheap toffees, chocolates, or small trinkets, using friendly banter to gain the trust of young girls. Police believe he typically isolated a child by offering to walk her home, help find a lost item, or give more sweets if she stepped away from the group. "Once he gained their trust in several meetings, Manu would lead them to his small, dimly lit dwelling. Over time, eight young girls, aged between 9 and 15, fell victim to his heinous crimes," the officer added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
SI paper leak: Katara's former driver's son arrested
1 2 Jaipur: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan police Friday arrested the son of former RPSC member Babu Lal Katara's driver in the 2021 Sub-Inspector Recruitment Exam paper leak case, taking the total number of arrests to 117. Additional Director General (SOG) VK Singh said the investigation revealed that Katara leaked question papers and answer keys for all three days of the written exam to his nephew, Vijay Kumar Damor, a resident of Dungarpur who was living in Katara's official residence in Ajmer. Acting on Katara's directions, Damor passed the leaked material to Ajay Pratap Singh (27), son of Nadan Singh, who was then Katara's driver. Ajay, a resident of Padampura in Ajmer district and currently posted as Private Assistant in the Revenue Board, Ajmer, allegedly received the paper at Katara's official residence in Ajmer before the exam. Armed with the leaked questions, Ajay scored 174.28 in Hindi and 150.2 in General Knowledge, totalling 324.48 marks. However, he failed to clear the physical test and was not finally selected. The SOG arrested him on Friday after he was summoned for questioning. According to officials, his arrest further strengthens the direct link between Katara and several beneficiaries of the leak. Investigators said Ajay's proximity to Katara's household, being the son of the former RPSC member's personal driver, made him a trusted recipient of the leaked content. The accused prepared thoroughly from the leaked material, and his high score raised red flags during the investigation. SOG sources said the crackdown on the sprawling recruitment scam is still underway, and further arrests are likely. "The case has shown deep-rooted collusion. For instance, Katara leaked questions to his nephew, and through them also handed it over to others. Multiple candidates are now under scrutiny," said an official. MSID:: 122766879 413 |
