Rs 116.86 crore cyber scam unearthed in Varanasi, gang used 'XePay' for OTPs

A joint team of the Cyber Crime Cell and Varanasi Police arrested four men after uncovering a cyber fraud network that operated bank accounts through the XePay APK. The probe linked the gang to 143 NCRP complaints, 41 bank accounts and fraud worth about Rs 116.86 crore.Varanasi Police bust cyber fraud gang in Rs 116.86 crore scam. (Representative Image)A joint team of the Cyber Crime Cell and Varanasi Police has busted a cyber fraud gang that used bank accounts opened in the names of individuals lured with promises of commissions to facilitate cyber fraud, investment scams and betting app activities.Four people, including the mastermind, Nitish Kumar Pandey, a resident of Rohtas in Sasaram, Bihar, have been arrested in connection with the case.According to the investigation, the accused arranged bank accounts in the names of different individuals by promising them commissions. These accounts were then allegedly used to receive and move money linked to cyber fraud, investment scams and betting app activities.OTPs INTERCEPTED THROUGH SMS FORWARDINGPolice said the gang used an APK called 'XePay' to activate SMS forwarding on mobile phones. This allowed the accused to intercept OTPs, and gain access required to operate the bank accounts. The proceeds obtained through the fraud were subsequently routed through multiple accounts, investigators said.143 NCRP COMPLAINTS LINKED TO GANGThe investigation revealed 143 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), linked to 41 bank accounts associated with the accused. The probe has uncovered fraud amounting to approximately Rs 116.86 crore.During the operation, police recovered seven mobile phones, a laptop, 19 chequebooks, 40 debit cards and 48 QR scanners from the accused. Two vehicles were also seized.Further investigation is underway.- EndsPublished On: Aug 23, 2026 21:48 IST