In a dramatic rescue, Lucknow police busted a hawala-linked kidnapping ring and freed a Bengaluru businessman and another captive from Kanpur. The Sarojini Nagar police arrested three suspects—Akash Yadav (21), Pradeep Pal (20), and Adarsh Dubey (21)—all from Para, while their leader, Vivek Yadav, remains at large.

The gang lured victims through an Instagram-based money laundering scheme called Sai Hawala Traders, promising high returns on cryptocurrency deals. Using fake IDs and SIM cards, they tricked their targets into traveling to Lucknow for business, only to abduct them at gunpoint and demand hefty ransoms.

The case unfolded when Bengaluru-based Sayed Danish reported his friend Manjunath missing after he arrived in Lucknow on March 22. Hours later, his wife received a terrifying call demanding ₹1 crore for his release. Acting swiftly, Lucknow police used CCTV footage and technical surveillance to locate the captors.

During the raid, officers rescued Manjunath and Syed Asar Ahmad, seizing a pistol, cash, and the vehicle used in the abduction. Investigations revealed that Ahmad himself was initially involved in laundering money for the gang but later became a victim.

Authorities warn against falling for such financial traps and urge caution when dealing with online investment offers.