Madrasa Operator From UP Held For 'Digital Arrest' Fraud

A madrasa operator and his son in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, were arrested for allegedly defrauding people by digitally arresting them and extorting money.

In Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj district, Arshad and his son, Asad Ahmed, residents of Sataura village in the Tirva Kotwali area, were arrested for their involvement in a digital fraud case. The two allegedly duped a woman in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Rs 46 lakh using 'digital arrest' techniques in September. Following a complaint lodged by the victim, the Indore police arrested the father-son duo from Sataura village.

Frauds Not New For Madrasa Operator

Asad Ahmed Khan, the son, is a madrasa operator, while his father, Ali Ahmed Khan, retired nine years ago as a teacher in Tirva. After retirement, Ali Ahmed established a madrasa, appointing himself as the manager and making his son, Asad, the co-manager. Around seven years ago, the duo reportedly defrauded 13 villagers from nearby areas, promising them employment at the madrasa.

Victims paid sums ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh but did not receive the promised jobs. Following complaints to the police and local panchayats, some victims recovered partial refunds, but a significant amount remained unrecovered. The duo has now been jailed by the Indore Crime Branch for their involvement in the latest fraud.

Madrasa Operators Linked to Cyber Fraud

The accused, who are linked to the management of four madrasas, were allegedly involved in using digital arrest methods to defraud people. However, their family members claimed they were innocent. The family stated that they have been running madrasas for 20 years without any allegation against them. According to them, a man from Indore, identifying himself as Sahil, approached them and offered financial aid for their institutions. Sahil convinced Asad Ahmed to open a bank account for the madrasa at ICICI Bank using its documents. It was through this account that the fraudulent transactions were conducted.

Arshad, the accused's brother, revealed that four madrasas are operated under their management in Kannauj, with the oldest being Falah Darain Sabiri in Sataura, run by Ali Ahmed, catering to students from classes 1 to 8. Asad manages another madrasa, Niswah Falah Darain Sabiri, where funds from the fraudulent activity were deposited. Additionally, they operate a degree college and another madrasa in Miyaganj.

Police Investigation Underway

Ali Ahmed’s youngest son, Arshad, who oversees the degree college, insists on his father’s and brother’s innocence. On December 5, Asad's wife, Tarannum, submitted a plea to the Indore police, accusing Sahil, the alleged mastermind, of luring them into the fraudulent activity and requesting his arrest. Local residents said they did not know the arrested individuals well, describing Ali Ahmed as a former doctor who transitioned to education. The investigation into the case is ongoing.