Easy Money Trap: Youth Lured into Espionage Network Targeting Sensitive Installations
In a breakthrough, Ghaziabad police have dismantled an alleged cross-border espionage racket that reportedly exploited financially struggling young men by tempting them with quick earnings in exchange for sharing sensitive information.
Authorities confirmed that four individuals have been arrested while five juveniles have been taken into custody for allegedly capturing photographs, videos and the location of critical infrastructure such as defence establishments, railway stations and other strategic sites.
These were then transmitted to handlers operating from outside India.
Police officials revealed that two prime suspects — Naushad Ali from Muzaffarpur in Bihar and Sameer, also from Bhagalpur — remain absconding and are being actively traced.
Investigators believe the duo played a central role in coordinating activities and recruiting participants.
According to officers, Suhail Malik, believed to be a key coordinator of the group, had already been apprehended earlier.
Those arrested most recently include Ganesh, aged 20, originally from Gulmi district in Nepal; Vivek, 18, from Purnia in Bihar; Gagan Kumar Prajapati, 22, from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh; and Durgesh Nishad, 26, currently residing in Navi Mumbai but originally from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Additional Commissioner of Police Raj Karan Nayyar stated that the investigation began on March 14 after Kaushambi police received intelligence inputs indicating that certain individuals were transmitting images and video clips of railway premises and other crucial locations to foreign contacts.
Authorities also discovered that the group was attempting to recruit additional youths to expand their network.
Initially, six suspects — including one woman — were detained, and electronic devices seized from them allegedly contained visual data and location details of sensitive sites.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently formed and identified 11 individuals connected to the network. Nine suspects have now been detained.
During questioning, the accused allegedly disclosed that they were assigned specific tasks by handlers located abroad and were instructed through online communication platforms.
Investigators further found that solar-powered surveillance cameras had been covertly installed at strategic points.
Police said two such devices were secretly placed at Delhi Cantonment and Sonipat railway station, enabling live transmission of footage to overseas handlers.
Authorities have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as the Official Secrets Act.
Police also discovered that the accused had installed specialised mobile applications designed to share precise GPS coordinates with their handlers. Training was reportedly provided remotely through virtual channels.
Investigators also uncovered another layer of wrongdoing linked to digital fraud.
Members of the network allegedly shared one-time passwords (OTPs) using Indian SIM cards acquired through illegal means, including theft, purchases through intermediaries, or SIM cards registered in the names of relatives.
These numbers were then used by foreign operators to create WhatsApp accounts appearing to originate from India. Payments for each assignment reportedly ranged between ₹500 and ₹15,000.
The funds were transferred via UPI but later withdrawn in cash from Jan Seva Kendras and local shops to avoid creating a traceable financial record.
Police officials emphasised that the network deliberately targeted technically trained but economically vulnerable young men, including mobile phone repair workers,
CCTV technicians and computer operators. Investigators believe the group intended to install hidden surveillance devices at nearly 50 additional locations nationwide, and efforts are ongoing to identify these potential targets.
Authorities have warned that the growing desire among youth to supplement their income quickly can make them vulnerable to exploitation by anti-national elements.
Law enforcement agencies have urged young people to remain cautious of suspicious online job offers promising easy money, as such opportunities may involve illegal activities that could jeopardise both national security and their own future.
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