In a sharp crackdown, Uttarakhand Police have arrested four young men in connection with an online fraud scheme under the guise of selling helicopter tickets. Victims alleged that the suspects collected payments but failed to deliver the promised tickets, resulting in losses amounting to nearly ₹1.91 lakh.
Our correspondent reports that the Kotwali police apprehended the accused after investigating a complaint filed by a Gujarat resident. The complainant stated that he had discovered a helicopter booking site on social media, through which about 32 people were promised tickets. After paying the designated amount, none of them received confirmations.
The main accused, identified as Aakarshan Gupta (18 years old, Bihar), was arrested along with Anant Kumar Singh (25), Saubhagya Shekhar Mahato (26), and Daulagobinda from Odisha. Investigations revealed that the scheme used multiple bank accounts—up to 18 accounts have been frozen—and communications via WhatsApp and Telegram.
Our correspondent adds that during the probe, police also traced the “mastermind” behind the fraud to Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and arrested a coordinator in Nawada, Bihar. It is believed he used SIM cards and telecommunication devices to orchestrate the scheme from remote locations.
In the complaint, the complainant stated that he paid ₹1,91,812 via online transfer as instructed by the suspects. However, no tickets were received and calls to the fraudsters went unanswered. A forensic audit of the transactions and digital traces is underway.
SP Akshay Prahlad Konde said that the fraudsters assigned amounts to the other three suspects—Anant was paid ₹10,000, Saubhagya ₹15,000, and Daulagobinda ₹15,000—while the remainder stayed with the alleged mastermind. The case timeline spans nearly two months of investigation.
Authorities say the suspects misused the faith of pilgrims and the high demand for helicopter services during the pilgrimage season. To prevent recurrence, officials have urged people to book tickets only through authorised platforms and avoid direct transfers to individual accounts.
Local administration expressed concern over such scams targeting devotees, especially during restricted-access periods of high pilgrimage demand. The new arrests are seen as a warning that such fraudulent operations will be pursued aggressively.
With arrests made, frozen bank accounts and ongoing digital forensic scrutiny, the police say they expect more revelations. Further arrests and legal action may be announced in the coming days.
