Jagran Correspondent | Kanpur: In a major breakthrough in the Rs 250 crore cyber fraud case, the police have identified Sultan Mirza as the alleged mastermind behind the syndicate after two people were arrested in Kanpur.
Mirza is allegedly operating a large cyber fraud network involving banned online gaming platforms and illegal IPL betting.
According to police officials, the proceeds of the fraud were routed via hawala channels and had centres across India and abroad. Mirza alias Abhay Shukla alias Jan Sena alias Valentine has syndicates in several cities, such as Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida and Bihar.
What Interogation Revealed?
The role of Mirza came under scrutiny after the arrest of R
ajveer Singh, originally a resident of Dibiyapur in Auraiya and currently residing in Barra 7. Shivam Sinha, a resident of Gujaini, is connected to the fraud case. During questioning, they allegedly revealed that Sultan Mirza controlled the entire operation.
Investigators claim he relied on an extensive network of mule accounts to rapidly move fraud proceeds through multiple bank accounts, making it difficult to trace the origin of the funds. Police allege that individuals who supplied mule accounts to the syndicate were paid approximately Rs 25,000 per month.
7 Centres in Kanpur
According to investigators, the gang had established seven centres in Kanpur. Documents were prepared, bank accounts were opened and financial identities were arranged for use in cyber fraud operations in these places. These accounts were allegedly used to receive large sums generated through fraudulent activities before the money was transferred through hawala channels to destinations across India and overseas. Investigators are now conducting a detailed examination of banking records, digital transactions and financial trails associated with the network.
Investigators are also scanning a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows Sultan Mirza at a nightclub in Dubai, dancing with performers and throwing currency notes. Authorities are verifying the authenticity of the footage as part of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, police teams have carried out raids at suspected hideouts of his associates in Mumbai, Noida and other locations in an effort to identify additional members of the network.