Noida: Gang Used Fake Friendship Club To Lure Victims, Rob Them of Cash and Cars; Busted
Noida Police have busted a gang that ran a fake online friendship club to lure victims, assault them, and rob cash, phones, and vehicles. Five accused were arrested and a juvenile detained. Police recovered a stolen Fortuner, two cars, and a knife. The gang allegedly used social media to trap victims and also carried out UPI fraud after forcing victims to unlock their phones.
Noida Police have busted an organised gang operating a fake online friendship club used to lure victims, assault them, and rob them of cash, mobile phones, and vehicles. Police arrested five accused, including two men and three women named Nidhi Yadav, Priyanka Yadav, and Riya Yadav, and detained a juvenile. Officials also recovered a stolen Fortuner SUV, two other cars used in the crime, and an illegal knife.
According to police, the gang targeted individuals through fake online profiles and arranged meetings under the pretext of friendship. Victims were allegedly taken to secluded locations in Noida and surrounding areas, where they were assaulted and robbed. Greater Noida Shocker: Residents Brutally Beaten With Sticks by Society Staff After Power Outage Complaint at Ecovillage-1, 4 Arrested As Videos Go Viral.
How the Fake Friendship Club Operated
Additional DCP Manisha Singh said: "The gang operated a fake friendship club online. Gang member Pankaj Yadav would contact customers. Then, young women would lure them into their cars, promising to meet them."
Police said the accused would gain the trust of victims through online interactions before arranging physical meetings at isolated locations. Once the victim arrived, gang members allegedly used multiple vehicles to coordinate the crime and ensure escape routes. Noida Shocker: 5-Year-Old Crushed to Death After Iron Gate Falls While Playing, Disturbing Video Surfaces.
Assault and UPI Fraud Case
Investigators said victims were assaulted and robbed during these encounters. In some cases, mobile phones were forcibly unlocked and bank transactions carried out.
During interrogation, the main accused Omveer Yadav revealed details of a specific incident:
On the night of June 30, 2026, a man was allegedly forced into a Swift car near Sector 54 petrol pump, assaulted, and robbed. Police said his mobile phone was unlocked and approximately ₹18,000 was transferred via UPI to multiple accounts. His wallet, car keys, and Fortuner SUV were also taken.
Vehicles and Weapons Recovered
Police said they recovered three vehicles linked to the gang, including a stolen Fortuner, a Swift car, and an Aura car used during the crimes. An illegal knife was also seized during the operation.
Investigators believe the vehicles may have been purchased using proceeds from earlier robberies.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
The arrested accused have been identified as Omveer Yadav and Manjesh Yadav (Firozabad), Nidhi Yadav (Auraiya), Priyanka Yadav (Firozabad), and Kajal alias Riya Yadav (Mainpuri). A juvenile was also detained.
Police said additional suspects, including Pankaj Yadav, Jitu Yadav alias Chhotu, Rishu Yadav, and Abhishek Yadav, remain absconding. Raids are ongoing to arrest them.
Officials said the gang has allegedly been active for a long time, operating across Delhi-NCR using similar methods.
Police are examining whether the gang is linked to other similar cases in the region. The accused are being questioned, and further legal action is underway under relevant sections of the law. Authorities said more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2026 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
