STF arrests 3 in Rajasthan for bid to dupe candidates

Lucknow: In a crackdown on attempts to spread rumours of question paper leak in the Uttar Pradesh Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment Examination, the Uttar Pradesh special task force (STF) has arrested three members of a Rajasthan-based cyber fraud gang late Saturday night.The accused — all in their mid-20s — were arrested from Sawai Madhopur district in Rajasthan following intelligence inputs gathered during surveillance of online platforms.The arrested men were identified as Sumit Meena alias Loda, Sahil, and Sajid.Investigators said the gang had created multiple Telegram channels to target candidates preparing for the recruitment examination."The main accused, Sumit, has amassed considerable wealth through cyber fraud and reportedly owns five SUVs, which is suspected to have been purchased with money earned through online scams," an investigator said.The accused were using two Telegram channels to circulate messages claiming that question paper had been leaked and could be obtained from them by paying money.Based on technical evidence and intelligence inputs, a team led by inspector Yatindra Sharma of the STF traced the suspects to Rajasthan.Additional superintendent of police, STF, Rakesh, said that during interrogation, Sahil told investigators that around 15-20 days ago Sajid had paid him Rs 5,000 to arrange SIM cards and bank account kits. Sahil allegedly opened bank accounts and purchased a SIM card which he handed over to Sajid.Sajid claimed that he received Rs 13,500 from Sumit Meena to arrange the SIM cards and bank account kits. Sumit said he had been approached by a villager, who promised him Rs 15,000 in exchange of providing a SIM card and bank account kit. The statements of the accused are being verified.The accused have been booked at the cyber police station in Sawai Madhopur.