VARANASI, March 18 -- Azamgarh Police on Monday invoked the Gangsters' Act against 17 cybercriminals and busted an international cyber fraud syndicate. The gang was found to have links with handlers based in China, Dubai, and other countries, police said on Tuesday. A case has been registered against the accused under section 3(1) of the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Azamgarh on Monday, following the senior superintendent of police's recommendation of a gang chart, which was approved by the district magistrate on March 16, said police. Senior superintendent of police Anil Kumar said that action under the Gangsters Act has been initiated against 17 cybercriminals, including the gang leader of an inter-state network involved in an international cyber fraud worth Rs.110 crore. The investigation revealed links to handlers based in China, Dubai, and other countries, adding that the syndicate carried out fraud and deception using a fake "PM Kisan Yojana" (.APK) app/link, along with various investment schemes. The SSP said that on November 18, 2025, an APK link was sent to the WhatsApp number of the victim, Karan Gupta, a resident of Bindra Bazar in Gambhirpur, Azamgarh. After he was induced to install the application, approximately Rs.7.77 lakh was illegally withdrawn from his bank account. In this connection, a case was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Azamgarh under section 318(4) of the BNS and section 66D of the IT Act. Two accused were arrested on November 30, 2025, followed by 15 more on December 8, 2025. Police recovered 26 mobile phones, 15 SIM cards, 14 ATM cards, Rs.26,500 in cash, two cars used in the crime, and a large quantity of electronic equipment from them, the SSP added....