The Uttar Pradesh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has arrested two individuals accused of securing a bank loan through forged property documents and identity fraud in a case that has been under investigation for several years. The alleged fraud involves a ₹25 lakh cash credit facility obtained from the Kaiserbagh branch of Allahabad Bank in Lucknow.

Officials said the arrests mark a major breakthrough in a long-pending economic offence case involving allegations of forgery, conspiracy, and financial deception.

Missing Property Documents at the Centre of the Case

According to investigators, the case dates back to 2018 when the original sale deed of a residential property located in Lucknow’s Vrindavan Yojana area was reportedly lost.

Authorities allege that the accused illegally used the missing property documents without the knowledge or approval of the property’s owner, Manju Devi, to obtain a cash credit loan from the bank. Investigators claim the loan amount was subsequently misappropriated and repayment obligations were ignored, causing financial losses to both the bank and the property owner.

The EOW believes the property records played a crucial role in securing the loan through fraudulent means.

High Court-Directed Probe Led to Fresh Findings

The matter initially came to light after a complaint was filed, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) in 2020 at Bachhrawan Police Station in Rae Bareli district.

The case included allegations of cheating, impersonation, forgery, and the use of fabricated documents. Following legal proceedings, the investigation was transferred to the Economic Offences Wing on the directions of the Allahabad High Court.

During the inquiry, investigators reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that the accused acted in coordination and used forged records to deceive the lending institution. Based on these findings, authorities added charges related to criminal conspiracy.

Officials stated that available evidence prima facie indicates deliberate efforts to secure the loan through fraudulent representations.

Arrests Made Following Intelligence-Based Operation

The two accused had allegedly remained absconding for an extended period, frequently changing locations to avoid law enforcement action.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, EOW teams launched coordinated operations in Lucknow on June 9 and successfully apprehended both suspects.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Arvind Singh and Mohammad Salim, residents of the Rajajipuram area of Lucknow. Police officials said Singh was arrested from Alambagh, while Salim was taken into custody from the Thakurganj locality.

Wider Investigation Continues

The Economic Offences Wing has indicated that the investigation remains active and that authorities are examining whether other individuals may have assisted in facilitating the alleged fraud.

Investigators are reviewing financial records, loan approval documents, and related evidence to determine the full extent of the conspiracy and identify any additional beneficiaries.

Officials emphasized that legal proceedings against the accused will continue under the applicable provisions of law. The agency also reiterated its commitment to pursuing cases involving financial fraud, forged documentation, and misuse of banking systems.

The arrests are being viewed as a significant development in the effort to combat economic offences and protect financial institutions from fraudulent lending practices.

Mumbai Police have arrested a former employee of a private insurance company and his alleged accomplice in connection with a sophisticated fraud scheme that reportedly used customers’ personal information to obtain unauthorized online loans worth ₹24 lakh.

Investigators allege that sensitive policyholder data was misused to manipulate account details, secure loan approvals, and divert funds into mule bank accounts without the knowledge of the affected customers.

Complaint From Customer Triggered Internal Investigation

The alleged fraud came to light after a policyholder from Gurugram alerted the insurance company about unexpected SMS notifications relating to a loan application that he claimed he had never requested.

Following the complaint, the company’s internal fraud detection team launched an investigation and discovered suspicious activities linked to two employees who had recently interacted with the customer.

According to investigators, the employees had visited the policyholder’s residence under the pretext of assisting with insurance-related services and reportedly gained temporary access to his mobile phone during the process. Authorities later found that a loan had been sanctioned in the customer’s name without his authorization.

Multiple Customers Allegedly Targeted

As the inquiry expanded, investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that the fraud was not limited to a single victim.

Police said at least 15 loans were allegedly processed using customer identities and personal information. The accused are suspected of obtaining one-time passwords (OTPs) from policyholders, generating security credentials, and modifying registered mobile numbers, email addresses, and bank account details within the company’s system.

Officials believe these alterations enabled the accused to take control of customer profiles and redirect loan disbursements to accounts under their control.

Investigators further allege that after modifying account information, the accused successfully convinced internal systems that the new details were legitimate, allowing loan amounts to be transferred without raising immediate red flags.

Funds Routed Through Mule Accounts

According to police, the fraud proceeds were funneled through a network of mule accounts designed to conceal the destination of the funds.

Authorities suspect that the operation relied on carefully coordinated financial channels to move and withdraw the money after loan approvals were obtained. The alleged scheme caused financial losses estimated at approximately ₹24 lakh.

Investigators are now examining transaction records to determine whether additional accounts or individuals were involved in the movement of funds.

Arrests Made, One Accused Still Missing

Following a formal complaint, the West Cyber Police Station in Mumbai registered a criminal case and launched a detailed investigation.

Police arrested former employee Imran Khan along with Pulkit Sharma, who is alleged to have arranged bank accounts used for receiving the fraud proceeds. Both were brought to Mumbai after being detained outside the city.

During the operation, officers reportedly seized three mobile phones, six cheque books, and two bank passbooks that are believed to be connected to the case.

Meanwhile, another accused, identified as Anjali Rani, remains absconding. Law enforcement agencies have launched efforts to trace her whereabouts and determine her exact role in the alleged fraud.

Investigation Expands Into Wider Network

Cybercrime investigators are continuing to analyze digital evidence, financial transactions, and customer records to establish the full scale of the operation.

Officials have not ruled out the possibility that additional individuals may have participated in the scheme or facilitated the creation of mule accounts used to transfer the funds.

The case highlights growing concerns over insider threats in financial and insurance institutions, where access to customer information can be exploited to commit sophisticated digital fraud.

Authorities have urged consumers to remain cautious when sharing personal information and to immediately report any suspicious financial activity linked to their accounts.

Authorities have cracked down on an alleged fraud operation targeting pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath shrine, arresting a man accused of collecting money from devotees by falsely promising VIP darshan privileges.

The accused, identified as 31-year-old Chirag from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, allegedly posed as an authorized travel facilitator and convinced pilgrims that he could arrange expedited access to the temple in exchange for payment.

Pilgrims Allegedly Charged for Non-Existent VIP Access

According to police officials, the suspect approached devotees during the ongoing Kedarnath Yatra and claimed he could secure special darshan arrangements unavailable through regular channels.

Investigators allege that he collected approximately ₹3,000 from each pilgrim, accumulating nearly ₹30,000 by offering unauthorized VIP entry services. Authorities stated that the promises were fraudulent and had no connection to any official temple or government-approved system.

The case surfaced after local authorities received information about suspicious activities involving a person soliciting money from pilgrims inside the temple area.

Police Action Leads to Arrest Inside Temple Premises

Following the tip-off, personnel stationed at the Kedarnath Police Outpost launched an immediate inquiry and began tracking the suspect’s movements.

Police located and detained Chirag within the temple premises. During the operation, officers recovered ₹5,000 in cash, which investigators believe may be linked to the funds collected from devotees.

Officials said the recovery of cash and preliminary evidence strengthened the case against the accused and prompted further investigation into his activities during the pilgrimage season.

Possible Local Links Under Investigation

During questioning, the accused reportedly admitted to falsely presenting himself as an agent capable of arranging VIP darshan services.

Investigators are also exploring the possibility that he may have received assistance from local contacts. Preliminary findings suggest that one or more individuals could have helped identify potential victims or facilitate the collection of money.

Law enforcement agencies are now examining whether the operation was part of a larger network involved in exploiting pilgrims through similar fraudulent schemes.

Case Registered Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

Following the investigation, police registered a case at Sonprayag Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The accused was produced before a court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody. He has been lodged in the District Jail at Chamoli while the investigation continues.

Authorities are also reviewing whether additional pilgrims may have been targeted and are urging anyone who may have fallen victim to similar offers to come forward.

Authorities Warn Pilgrims Against Unauthorized Services

The incident has highlighted the recurring problem of fraudsters exploiting religious tourism and pilgrimage activities. Every year, thousands of devotees travel to Kedarnath, making them potential targets for scams involving fake accommodation bookings, unauthorized helicopter services, forged registrations, and false VIP darshan promises.

Officials have advised pilgrims to use only government-approved portals and authorized service providers for bookings, registrations, and temple-related facilities.

Police emphasized that no individual claiming special access or priority darshan should be trusted without verification from official sources. Security teams have intensified surveillance and awareness campaigns across the pilgrimage route to prevent similar incidents.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a safe and transparent pilgrimage experience and warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found exploiting devotees for financial gain.