LUCKNOW: In a crackdown on attempts to spread rumours of a 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 accused of trying to cheat aspirants by promising access to the alleged leaked exam paper through social media on late Saturday night. The accused — all in their mid-20s — were arrested on Saturday evening from Sawai Madhopur district in Rajasthan by the Cyber Police Station following intelligence developed by the STF during surveillance of online platforms linked to the UP Police Sub-Inspector and equivalent posts recruitment examination-2025, scheduled for the night of March 14–15.The arrested individuals have been identified as Sumit Meena alias Loda, Shahil, and Sajid, all residents of Sawai Madhopur. During the operation, police recovered a Vivo mobile phone from Shahil.According to STF officials, the trio are suspected cyber fraudsters who have allegedly duped hundreds of people across the country through various online scams and were living a lavish lifestyle with the proceeds of their illegal activities.Investigators said the gang had created multiple Telegram channels to target candidates preparing for the SI recruitment exam.The main accused, Sumit is believed to have amassed considerable wealth through cyber fraud and reportedly owns five SUVs, which investigators suspect were purchased using money earned through online scams.Officials said the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board had directed STF units to maintain strict surveillance on social media to ensure the integrity of the recruitment examination.During monitoring, investigators detected suspicious Telegram channels titled “UP SI UP Police 2026,” “Result Panel Pvt TM,” and “UP SI Exam Paper UP SI-2026.”These channels were allegedly being used to circulate messages claiming that the question paper of the SI recruitment exam had been leaked and could be obtained by paying money.STF believes the gang was attempting to exploit the anxiety of candidates and collect money by promising access to the paper.Based on technical evidence and intelligence inputs, a team led by Inspector Yatindra Sharma of the STF traced the suspects to Rajasthan.A case was registered on March 13 in Lucknow and also at the Cyber Police Station in Sawai Madhopur under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.The STF team, along with the local police, then arrested the three accused.Additional SP, STF, Rakesh, said that during interrogation, Shahil told investigators that around 15–20 days ago Sajid paid him ₹5,000 to arrange SIM cards and bank account kits. Shahil allegedly opened bank accounts in Punjab Bank and Union Bank and purchased a SIM card which he handed over to Sajid.Sajid revealed that he had received ₹13,500 from Sumit Meena to arrange the SIM cards and bank account kits. Sumit Meena, in turn, said he had been approached by a villager, who allegedly promised him ₹15,000 in exchange for providing a SIM card and bank account kit.Investigators suspect that Sumit Singh used these accounts and SIM cards to run Telegram groups such as Result Panel, where candidates were lured into paying money in the name of obtaining the alleged leaked examination paper.The accused have been booked at the Cyber Police Station in Sawai Madhopur.Further investigation is underway to trace other members of the network and identify victims of the fraud.Officials reiterated that strict monitoring of social media platforms is being carried out to prevent misinformation and ensure that the UP Police recruitment examination is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.Candidates have also been advised not to believe or respond to claims regarding leaked exam papers circulating online.
