In one of Uttar Pradesh’s most daring and intelligently executed cybercrime crackdowns, the Agra Police have dismantled a Dubai-controlled international cyber fraud network, arresting 32 accused after a two-month-long undercover operation that saw police officers posing as cyber criminals, account buyers, and document brokers.
Officials said the syndicate was operating with military-like precision, using fake companies, encrypted communication platforms, and a compartmentalised structure to evade law enforcement. The alleged kingpin, Nitin Bhagaur, is believed to be operating from Dubai, and preparations are underway to seek a Red Corner Notice against him.
From Sweet Shop Owner to Cyber Kingpin
Investigators revealed that Bhagaur was once a small-time sweet shop owner in Agra, before entering the cyber fraud ecosystem. Over time, he allegedly built a sophisticated fraud empire and relocated to Dubai. To legitimise illegal proceeds, he floated shell companies named Medlar Global Excellence and Medlar Service Group, routing fraud money as business income.
Living a lavish lifestyle abroad, Bhagaur reportedly ensured he never directly used phones, emails, or bank accounts linked to fraud. Instead, he controlled operations remotely through trusted intermediaries, encrypted apps, and dark web channels.
India Operations Managed from Agra
Police said the Indian wing of the syndicate was handled by Ravi Rathore, a resident of Tajganj in Agra. Rathore allegedly recruited members, managed training, sourced bank accounts and SIM cards, and maintained contact with the Dubai-based handler.
Several young recruits were sent to Dubai on company-sponsored visas, where they were trained and deployed for cyber fraud operations targeting victims across India and other countries.
Case Cracked Through Money Trail
The investigation began with a complaint on the NCRB portal. Using technical tools like the Pratibimbh application, police traced suspicious activity to over 200 mobile numbers and multiple bank accounts.
The breakthrough came when investigators detected a direct financial transaction from a fraudulent Indian account to one of Bhagaur’s Dubai-based companies, exposing the full hierarchy and money trail of the syndicate.
Undercover Police Strategy Pays Off
To avoid implicating innocent people, police adopted a rare undercover strategy. Officers posed as account buyers, SIM card purchasers, and cyber operatives, negotiating directly with sellers and document facilitators.
This helped authorities clearly identify intentional collaborators while separating them from unsuspecting individuals whose details were misused.
32 Arrested, More Action Coming
In the first phase, 24 accused were arrested from Agra. The next day, Rathore was taken into custody, taking the total arrests to 32. Police said the gang operated on a strict need-to-know basis, ensuring members rarely knew each other’s identities.
ADC (City) Aditya Kumar confirmed that a proposal would be sent to the CBI to initiate the process for a Red Corner Notice against Bhagaur. “Key inputs have been recovered. Further arrests and international coordination are underway,” he said.
Officials described the operation as a major breakthrough in tackling organised cybercrime, exposing how global fraud networks exploit fake corporate fronts, loopholes, and vulnerable youth to run large-scale digital scams.
