Latest news with #Vikas
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Six men arrested for running fake lottery and gift scam by posing as foreign women and using fraudulent bank accounts
New Delhi: Six men, including two Nigerian nationals, were arrested for running a fake lottery and gift scam. They posed as foreign women online, befriended victims, and claimed to send gifts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Victims then received calls from fake airport officials demanding money to release the parcels. The scammers often used UK-based phone numbers to appear legitimate. Another method involved contacting people on social media, claiming they won a lottery and needed to pay a fee to claim the prize. These tactics convinced many victims to transfer money, believing they were dealing with genuine individuals and organisations based abroad. The accused were identified as Shedrack Onainor (29), Vikas (25), Shahid Raza (45), Shahrukh Khan (23), Rakesh (22), and Sunday John (40). They were arrested from multiple places in the city. Raza was nabbed from West Delhi, and based on his information, a raid was conducted in South Delhi's Khanpur, from where Onainor, a Nigerian national, was nabbed. Based on his information, other accused individuals, including John, another Nigerian national, were apprehended. Raza is the father-in-law of Shahrukh. Onainor arrived in India on a medical visa in 2013, which expired in 2018. He stayed illegally and, with Nigerian associates, scammed Indian citizens through fake lotteries, gifts, and parcels. He collected money via Indian accomplices Raza and Khan, who also provided bank accounts for fraudulent transactions. "Raza, uneducated and previously employed in Saudi Arabia, joined the racket around 7–8 years ago for a 15% commission. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With his son-in-law Shahrukh, he collected ATM cards and withdrew cash for Nigerian handlers. Khan joined 6–7 years ago. He used UPI IDs to transfer defrauded funds," Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Vikram Singh said. Vikas opened multiple bank accounts using a fake address in Delhi and handed over ATM cards and SIMs to Rakesh, who then forwarded them to Raza and Khan. Vikas received 3% of each transaction. Vikas's brother Rakesh helped manipulate Aadhaar details to open accounts, receiving a 2% commission. John arrived on a business visa in 2023, which expired in 2024. He illegally remained in India, collecting defrauded funds across Delhi/NCR and splitting them with Nigerian co-conspirators. "Onainor, along with associates, led the fraud by luring victims online. Once victims transferred funds, Shedrack coordinated with Indian handlers for the collection and distribution of cash. Rakesh and his brother Vikas opened 18–20 fake bank accounts in Vikas's name. They altered Aadhaar addresses to Delhi, obtained SIMs, and used forged documents. An associate helped update Aadhaar without verification," police said.
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Delhi Cops Bust Transnational Lottery Scam, 6 Including 2 Nigerians Arrested
New Delhi: Delhi Police has claimed to have busted a transnational cheating syndicate operating in Delhi-NCR with the arrest of six people, including two Nigerians, an official said on Sunday. Police said that the accused were defrauding Indian citizens through fake lotteries, gifts, and prize schemes. The gang, active for several years, lured unsuspecting victims into transferring large sums of money to fraudulently created bank accounts in exchange for non-existent rewards. The accused have been identified as Shahid Raza (45), Shahrukh Khan (23), Vikas (25), and Rakesh alias Lalu (22). They worked with two Nigerians - Shedrack Onainor (29) and Sunday John alias Liberty (40). Vikram Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), said the syndicate's operation came to light after specific inputs were received on July 7 regarding a group of fraudsters operating out of Delhi, cheating people through fraudulent online lottery and gift schemes. "Acting on the input, a team launched a surveillance operation. During the operation, Shahid Raza was apprehended from Punjabi Bagh in Delhi, while in possession of Rs 3.63 lakh in cash, nine ATM cards and a mobile phone containing incriminating data. His interrogation revealed a deep-rooted network involving both Indian and foreign nationals of Nigerian origin," said the DCP. Subsequent raids led to the arrest of Shedrack Onainor from Khanpur in Delhi, while he was allegedly collecting the cheated money. Onainor was found to have been illegally residing in India since 2018. He overstayed his medical visa. Incriminating digital evidence was also recovered from his possession. Based on disclosures made by Raza and Onainor, further arrests followed - Shahrukh Khan, Raza's son-in-law; Vikas and Rakesh, brothers from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh; and Nigerian national Sunday John, who had overstayed his business visa since 2024. "Teams seized multiple mobile phones, Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, passbooks, and other items linked to the cheating racket," he added. Sharing the modus operandi of the accused, police said that they adopted a well-coordinated system. "The Nigerian handlers - Onainor and Sunday - acted as masterminds, luring victims through fake online lottery and prize announcements. Once a victim transferred money into designated accounts, the Indian accomplices managed its withdrawal and delivery," the DCP said. Shahid Raza and Shahrukh Khan handled cash operations. Raza withdrew funds using ATM cards and delivered cash to the Nigerian accused after retaining a 15 per cent commission. Shahrukh, meanwhile, managed UPI-based transfers using online applications and oversaw the activation and operation of fake accounts. Rakesh and his brother Vikas played a key role in account fabrication. They used forged Aadhaar documents with updated Delhi-based addresses and fake SIM cards. They opened nearly 20 bank accounts under the name of Vikas across different banks. These accounts were later used to route fraudulent transactions. Another friend allegedly facilitated the Aadhaar updates without valid documents or verification, DCP added. "The ATM cards linked to these accounts were handed over to Shahrukh and Shahid. Shahrukh generated UPI IDs and managed digital fund transfers. Withdrawals were executed by Shahid, who then handed over the cheated funds to Shedrack and Sunday John at various designated spots in Delhi, often travelling by autorickshaw," DCP Singh said. Police said the commission system was also structured. Out of the 15 per cent cut from the withdrawn funds, 5 per cent went to Rakesh and Vikas for arranging the accounts and SIMs (3 per cent to Vikas, 2 per cent to Rakesh), while the rest was kept by Shahid and Shahrukh. Payments were made in cash or through online methods. According to the police, among the seized items were 10 mobile phones, Rs 3.63 lakh in Rs 500 denomination notes, multiple Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, and bank passbooks. Sharing the profile of the accused, police said that Shedrack Onainor, originally from Delta State, Nigeria, came to India in 2013 on a medical visa that expired in 2018. He stayed on illegally and engaged in cheating operations. He was the main link between the Indian recruits and his Nigerian co-conspirators. Shahid Raza, a resident of Bareilly, UP, previously worked in Saudi Arabia and later sold fruits in Delhi. He entered the racket around eight years ago to support his family, lured by the promise of a 15 per cent commission. Shahrukh Khan, Raza's son-in-law, was educated up to class 7. He was influenced by villagers in Bareilly who were involved in similar frauds. Vikas is a class 6 dropout from Bareilly and previously worked as a tailor in Ghaziabad. Rakesh alias Lalu is uneducated and works as a painter and polisher. He helped his brother Vikas with Aadhaar forgery and account creation. Sunday John alias Liberty, a Nigerian national, entered India on a business visa in 2023, which expired in 2024. He stayed on illegally and became a key member of the racket. He routinely collected money from Shahid and Shahrukh and shared the illicit proceeds with other Nigerian co-conspirators. "All six have been remanded to judicial custody," police said. Further investigation is underway.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Transnational lottery scam busted in Delhi; six, including 2 Nigerians, held
New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Delhi Police has claimed to have busted a transnational cheating syndicate operating in Delhi-NCR with the arrest of six people, including two Nigerians, an official said on Sunday. Police said that the accused were defrauding Indian citizens through fake lotteries, gifts, and prize schemes. The gang, active for several years, lured unsuspecting victims into transferring large sums of money to fraudulently created bank accounts in exchange for non-existent rewards. The accused have been identified as Shahid Raza (45), Shahrukh Khan (23), Vikas (25), and Rakesh alias Lalu (22). They worked with two Nigerians — Shedrack Onainor (29) and Sunday John alias Liberty (40). Vikram Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), said the syndicate's operation came to light after specific inputs were received on July 7 regarding a group of fraudsters operating out of Delhi, cheating people through fraudulent online lottery and gift schemes. 'Acting on the input, a team launched a surveillance operation. During the operation, Shahid Raza was apprehended from Punjabi Bagh in Delhi, while in possession of Rs 3.63 lakh in cash, nine ATM cards and a mobile phone containing incriminating data. His interrogation revealed a deep-rooted network involving both Indian and foreign nationals of Nigerian origin," said the DCP. Subsequent raids led to the arrest of Shedrack Onainor from Khanpur in Delhi, while he was allegedly collecting the cheated money. Onainor was found to have been illegally residing in India since 2018. He overstayed his medical visa. Incriminating digital evidence was also recovered from his possession. Based on disclosures made by Raza and Onainor, further arrests followed — Shahrukh Khan, Raza's son-in-law; Vikas and Rakesh, brothers from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh; and Nigerian national Sunday John, who had overstayed his business visa since 2024. 'Teams seized multiple mobile phones, Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, passbooks, and other items linked to the cheating racket," he added. Sharing the modus operandi of the accused, police said that they adopted a well-coordinated system. 'The Nigerian handlers — Onainor and Sunday — acted as masterminds, luring victims through fake online lottery and prize announcements. Once a victim transferred money into designated accounts, the Indian accomplices managed its withdrawal and delivery," the DCP said. Shahid Raza and Shahrukh Khan handled cash operations. Raza withdrew funds using ATM cards and delivered cash to the Nigerian accused after retaining a 15 per cent commission. Shahrukh, meanwhile, managed UPI-based transfers using online applications and oversaw the activation and operation of fake accounts. Rakesh and his brother Vikas played a key role in account fabrication. They used forged Aadhaar documents with updated Delhi-based addresses and fake SIM cards. They opened nearly 20 bank accounts under the name of Vikas across different banks. These accounts were later used to route fraudulent transactions. Another friend allegedly facilitated the Aadhaar updates without valid documents or verification, DCP added. 'The ATM cards linked to these accounts were handed over to Shahrukh and Shahid. Shahrukh generated UPI IDs and managed digital fund transfers. Withdrawals were executed by Shahid, who then handed over the cheated funds to Shedrack and Sunday John at various designated spots in Delhi, often travelling by autorickshaw," DCP Singh said. Police said the commission system was also structured. Out of the 15 per cent cut from the withdrawn funds, 5 per cent went to Rakesh and Vikas for arranging the accounts and SIMs (3 per cent to Vikas, 2 per cent to Rakesh), while the rest was kept by Shahid and Shahrukh. Payments were made in cash or through online methods. According to the police, among the seized items were 10 mobile phones, Rs 3.63 lakh in Rs 500 denomination notes, multiple Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, and bank passbooks. Sharing the profile of the accused, police said that Shedrack Onainor, originally from Delta State, Nigeria, came to India in 2013 on a medical visa that expired in 2018. He stayed on illegally and engaged in cheating operations. He was the main link between the Indian recruits and his Nigerian co-conspirators. Shahid Raza, a resident of Bareilly, UP, previously worked in Saudi Arabia and later sold fruits in Delhi. He entered the racket around eight years ago to support his family, lured by the promise of a 15 per cent commission. Shahrukh Khan, Raza's son-in-law, was educated up to class 7. He was influenced by villagers in Bareilly who were involved in similar frauds. Vikas is a class 6 dropout from Bareilly and previously worked as a tailor in Ghaziabad. Rakesh alias Lalu is uneducated and works as a painter and polisher. He helped his brother Vikas with Aadhaar forgery and account creation. top videos View all Sunday John alias Liberty, a Nigerian national, entered India on a business visa in 2023, which expired in 2024. He stayed on illegally and became a key member of the racket. He routinely collected money from Shahid and Shahrukh and shared the illicit proceeds with other Nigerian co-conspirators. 'All six have been remanded to judicial custody," police said. Further investigation is underway. PTI BM HIG First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
A matter of pride: How five LGBTQIA+ students passed Class 10
It's a drizzly 4pm, but that's not why there's a rainbow on the first floor of a municipal school near Sion station. The sun casting seven colours through a prism is a perennial fixture on a wall chart inside this year-old evening learning centre, nestled up a flight of metal stairs within D S High School. The painting is one of many quiet affirmations of the space's inclusivity. "Outside, we face a lot of ridicule for our effete ways," says 43-year-old Vikas (name changed), who dropped out of school in 1997. "But here, teachers don't discriminate or mock us for using phrases like 'aga bai'." We are at Masoom's learning centre for LGBTQIA+ students at Sion, a safe space that will celebrate its first batch of SSC passouts on July 29. Vikas, an outreach worker, is one of its five students— ranging from health workers to courier personnel—who cleared their SSC exams through the National Open School and are now studying for HSC, drawn by the centre's promise of free education, pens, notebooks, groceries and a shot at a stable job. "I didn't expect to fetch 64%," laughs Vikas, surprised to have stood third in his class. The idea for the centre was sparked by Seema Ali, a transgender student who made headlines in 2022 as a standout from Masoom's night school initiative. Born in a small Maharashtra town, Seema faced family rejection and community abuse before moving to Mumbai. After years of begging at signals, she joined a night school through the NGO, passed her SSC, and landed a job. At a panel last year, she pointed out how many queer individuals—often relegated to begging or sex work—would benefit from evening education centres. Her story helped rally support but the beginning wasn't easy. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Volunteers reached out to NGOs and gharanas to encourage enrolment but met with hesitation. "Members of the community tend to prioritise earning over learning," says Masoom's Sandeep Suryawanshi, who made several home visits. "They would say, 'We earn almost Rs 300 in an hour on the train. Why should we forego that?'" recalls Nikita Ketkar, CEO of Masoom, which had aimed to enrol 60 students. "We only managed to convince 16. Of those, 11 attended regularly and five passed." Aliza, class topper at 74%, is the only trans woman in this batch. Averting the gaze of commuters at Sion station, she would drop in for classes in Hindi, Home Science, Data Entry, Painting, and Business Studies, taught every evening by Abhishek Yadav, Sonali Pawar, and Nitin Pawar. Kalyan-based Mahendra, 29, who works as a part-time courier executive, set high expectations as the most diligent student. "Despite having to travel all over the city, he would drop in to our centre almost every day," says Suryawanshi. "I failed tenth when I was 14," says Mahendra who delivers Ayurvedic medicines for Rs 100 to Rs 200 a pop. "At times, the customers would adjust timings for my sake. At times, the teachers would wait for me," he recalls. "I want a job that helps me afford my dream—my own house in Mumbai," says the second-ranker, who lives in a Rs 7,000 rental in Kalyan. For Vikas, who last attempted SSC in 1997 or 1998— he's not sure—catching up wasn't easy. "In your youth, you retain more," says the aspiring makeup artist, who found Business Studies especially eye-opening. "I want to start my own business and I now know how to," says the 43-year-old. Though singing is his first love, Ulwe's 23-year-old Pranay (name changed) would be content with a secure govt job. Having dropped out in 2015 to support his ailing relatives, he cooked, swept and swabbed at six to eight homes for years in Navi Mumbai. "Friends advised me against it, but I had to make a living," he says. Recently he quit after a doctor told him about a gap in his spine. He now works with Humsafar Trust, raising HIV/AIDS awareness in the LGBTQIA+ community. "It's not easy. The young resist the message... until the disease gets them," he says. "It would help if the govt took the initiative to raise awareness about the community and its issues through railway announcements, etc," says Vikas, who faced unkind comments on his way to class. "As a society, we still have a long way to go," he adds, before entering the room with the perennial rainbow to prepare for Class 12. To enrol, call on 8655727370 or 8655086753
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand drinking water corporation's Kumaon in-charge chief engineer suspended
DEHRADUN: Drinking water corporation's Kumaon-in-charge chief engineer Sujit Kumar Vikas was suspended on Thursday on charges of violating the employee conduct rules. According to an order issued here by Uttarakhand drinking water corporation chairman Shailesh Bagoli, superintending engineer Vikas, who was looking after the charge of chief engineer, has been suspended with immediate effect. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This action against Vikas has been taken on the basis of a complaint lodged by Sanjay Kumar. The complaint states that Vikas, while posted as superintending engineer in the drinking water corporation Dehradun in 2022, assured Kumar to get his firm Harsh Enterprises registered in the Uttarakhand drinking water corporation and get work in the department. According to the complaint, in lieu of this, Kumar allegedly deposited a total of Rs 10 lakh in five installments in Kuchu-Puchu Enterprises through his firm. During the investigation of this complaint, it was found that Vikas's wife Ranju Kumari is allegedly a partner in Kuchu-Puchu Enterprises. Vikas was asked to give an explanation in 15 days but he allegedly did not give any answer.
