Massive Toll Plaza Fraud Unveiled: Mastermind Arrested
A major toll plaza scam spanning 14 states and involving 42 toll plazas was exposed with the arrest of Alok Kumar Singh, a 35-year-old MCA graduate from Uttar Pradesh. Singh, a software developer, used his programming expertise to create a fraudulent system that diverted toll collections to private accounts. The scam caused daily losses of ₹45,000 at a single toll plaza in Mirzapur, with its full extent yet to be calculated.
How the Fraud Was Executed
Singh targeted non-FASTag vehicles or those with insufficient FASTag balances, which are charged double toll as a penalty. He developed unauthorized software to generate fake receipts resembling official ones, making detection difficult.
Key tactics included:
Diverting Funds: The software recorded only 5% of tolls in the NHAI system while marking 95% as exempted or unregistered, funneling funds to private accounts.
Collusion: Singh collaborated with toll plaza managers and IT personnel to install the software covertly.
Real-Time Monitoring: Linked to Singh’s laptop, the system allowed him to track transactions remotely.
Nationwide Scam and Arrests
The scam spanned nine toll plazas in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, and several others across states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal. Singh admitted to personally installing the software at 42 locations.
Following his arrest near Varanasi’s Babatpur airport, further investigations led to the arrests of two accomplices: Rajeev Kumar Mishra, a toll manager, and Manish Mishra, a toll employee. The Special Task Force (STF) seized laptops, mobile phones, a printer, and ₹19,580 in cash during the operation.
Exploitation of System Loopholes
Singh exploited vulnerabilities in NHAI’s toll system, targeting non-FASTag transactions. His system ensured minimal tolls were recorded officially, leaving the majority for illegal redistribution among gang members. Funds were laundered through bank accounts and digital wallets.
Ongoing Investigation
The STF continues to probe additional fraudulent setups and individuals involved in the scam. Singh’s background as an MCA graduate and his brief stint at a toll plaza in 2021 provided the technical knowledge and insider experience to execute the fraud.
This incident underscores the need for enhanced security in toll collection systems to prevent such breaches and protect public funds.
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