Eight caught cheating people in name of KBC

DCP (special cell) Rajiv Ranjan said the gang would make phone calls to people, telling them that they had won money on the popular game show and that they have to deposit a certain amount of money in bank accounts so that the prize money could be released.

“The crime was being orchestrated from Pakistan and our money was being siphoned off by the criminals based there. There was every possibility that the money could be used for anti-India activities. To identify the India-based associates of the Pakistan-based syndicate, a team was formed and deployed,” he said.

Police said the gang members would tell people that they had won a lottery of Rs 20 to Rs 30 lakh after their cellphone numbers were selected in a random draw and that the prize money would be paid to them on the sets of KBC itself. “The accused would then ask the victims to deposit a certain amount in an Indian bank as processing fee. As soon as the victim deposited the money, it would be withdrawn by an Indian associate of the syndicate,” a police officer said.

Police have registered a case in this regard and further investigation is on. Police have urged people to bring into their notice any such phone calls they receive.