LUCKNOW, Jan. 27 -- Young, dangerous and out to make a fast buck, a gang of undergraduates pursuing courses like BBA and B.Tech in private colleges was on the prowl in the city's periphery, unleashing 'lift and loot' tactics apparently to be able to afford a luxurious lifestyle before the long arm of the law caught up with them and sent them behind bars.

Targeting unsuspecting commuters seeking a lift, they forced them to cough up substantial amounts of money online and got the sum transferred to accounts of acquaintances or Jan Seva Kendra to avoid suspicion, according to the police.

Shailendra Kumar Mishra, 32, a resident of the PGI area in the state capital, was one such victim of this gang.

Returning home from office recently, he w...