Auraiya Police Arrest Three for Posing as Cyber Crime Officers, Driving Youth to Suicide

Auraiya police on Saturday arrested two men and a juvenile who were allegedly posing as officials of the Cyber Crime Branch, Lucknow, and extorting people through obscene video threats. The gang’s activities reportedly pushed a young man to take his own life.

SP Abhishek Bharti said that Anuraj, a resident of Khanpur Road, died by suicide on November 18 after receiving repeated threatening calls for several days. The callers claimed a case had been filed against him for watching obscene content and told him that police were coming to arrest him. They then demanded money to “settle the matter” and warned him of social humiliation.

Troubled and fearful, Anuraj died by suicide at his home. His family later filed a complaint.

Police identified the accused as Narendra Singh (son of Kishanpal), Lalsingh (son of Natthu), both from Kanpur Dehat, and a juvenile accomplice. During questioning, they confessed to randomly targeting victims and extorting money by creating fear of arrest. Officers recovered 23 SIM cards and three mobile phones used in the fraud.

Police said around 10 similar complaints linked to the gang have been registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal from different states.

SP Bharti urged the public not to fall for such scams. “If anyone claims to be from the police or court and demands money, do not panic. Contact your nearest police station or call the Cyber Helpline at 1930,” he said.