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Three arrested in Maharajganj, 46 mobiles seized (Image: Dynamite News)
Maharajganj: Police in Maharajganj have arrested three individuals accused of targeting villagers under the pretext of exchanging old mobile phones for household goods.
The arrests were made as part of an ongoing campaign to curb suspicious and fraudulent activities in rural areas.
According to officials, the accused travelled across villages offering items such as utensils or groceries in exchange for old mobile phones. The seemingly harmless barter deal attracted villagers, many of whom handed over their devices without verifying the intent behind the collection.
Police said the operation raised concerns as the phones could contain sensitive personal data, which may be misused.
Acting on specific inputs, a police team from the Farenda area intercepted the suspects and took them into custody. A total of 46 mobile phones were recovered during the operation.
Station in-charge Yogendra Kumar Rai said the suspects were apprehended from Farenda Khurd following reports of their activities in nearby villages.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Jan Mohammad from Murshidabad in West Bengal, Jamuna from Siddharthnagar district, and Hari Singh from Kanpur district.
Police said the trio had been moving across rural pockets, persuading residents to exchange their old phones through attractive offers.
Authorities have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to impersonation and suspicious conduct. The accused were later produced before a local court.
Investigators are examining whether the collected devices were intended for resale, data extraction, or other illegal purposes.
Police have urged residents to exercise caution while dealing with unknown individuals offering exchange deals or services. Citizens have been advised not to hand over personal devices or belongings without proper verification.
Officials also encouraged people to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies to prevent potential fraud or data misuse.
