Crime – Gunfire During Vehicle Check Leads to Arrest in Lucknow
Crime – A routine police check in Lucknow turned violent when a motorcycle rider allegedly opened fire at officers attempting to stop him, leading to his arrest after a brief exchange.
Gunfire Erupts During Routine Vehicle Inspection
The incident occurred when police signalled a man riding a motorcycle without a registration number plate to pull over. Instead of complying, the rider allegedly fired at the officers. Police returned fire, injuring him in the leg before taking him into custody.
According to Nipun Agarwal, the development is linked to a chain-snatching case reported earlier this month. On 17 February, a woman identified as Rita Jha was robbed of her chain. Following the complaint, multiple teams were formed to track down the suspect.
When officers noticed the unregistered motorcycle during patrol, they attempted to intercept it as part of routine verification. “As soon as the police team tried to stop him, he began firing,” Agarwal said, describing the sequence of events.
Weapons and Stolen Property Recovered
After being overpowered, the accused was found carrying a .315 bore pistol along with a chain believed to be connected to the February 17 robbery. During questioning, police said he admitted involvement in the chain-snatching incident.
Authorities further disclosed that the suspect has prior cases registered against him under serious criminal charges, including rape and extortion. He is currently receiving medical treatment for his leg injury while remaining under police custody.
Investigators are continuing to examine whether he may be linked to additional crimes in the region.
Delhi Police Dismantle Online Trading Scam Network
In a separate development, the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police recently uncovered a large-scale online trading scam operating across multiple states. Four key suspects were arrested from Kolkata and Lucknow in January as part of the crackdown.
Officials said the group allegedly ran fraudulent investment schemes through fake trading applications and messaging platforms, deceiving victims with promises of unusually high returns. The operation reportedly swindled individuals out of several crores of rupees.
Multi-Layered Fraud Strategy
According to investigators, the accused used social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and Facebook to circulate advertisements promoting online trading opportunities. These promotions offered guaranteed profits, drawing in unsuspecting users.
Interested individuals were then added to Telegram groups that appeared to represent legitimate brokerage firms. Police said these groups used names resembling established financial institutions to gain credibility.
Victims were instructed to download counterfeit trading apps that displayed manipulated dashboards reflecting fabricated gains. Initially, small returns were credited to build trust. Encouraged by these early “profits,” victims invested larger amounts.
Once substantial funds were deposited, the fraudsters allegedly demanded additional payments under the pretext of taxes, withdrawal fees or account activation charges. Eventually, access to funds was blocked, leaving victims with heavy losses.
Extensive Financial Trail and International Links
Investigators revealed that the fake platforms closely mirrored genuine trading interfaces but lacked approval from any regulatory authority. Authorities emphasised that legitimate brokers do not operate exclusively through unverified apps or private messaging groups.
The probe uncovered the use of mule bank accounts sourced through handlers within India. Detailed banking information, including account numbers and registered mobile data, was reportedly shared with the network. Some linked mobile numbers had applications installed that automatically captured transaction one-time passwords.
Data analysis from the I4C platform and scrutiny of records from more than 200 bank branches helped police trace suspicious transactions. Officials identified over 260 bank accounts opened under the names of 105 shell companies.
Investigators estimate that at least 2,567 complaints were filed nationwide in connection with the fraud, with total losses exceeding Rs 300 crore. The network is believed to have operated for four to five years, allegedly exploiting technical tools and legal loopholes to avoid detection.
Further investigation is ongoing to identify additional accomplices and recover funds.