Deoghar, july 10: Deoghar Cyber Police have arrested 11 alleged cyber criminals and detained a juvenile during a special anti-cybercrime operation, uncovering what investigators suspect is an interstate cyber fraud network operating through fake customer care services and financial scams.
The accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody, while the juvenile was presented before the Juvenile Justice Board and later sent to the Children’s Reform Home in Dumka.
The raids were conducted on the directions of Deoghar Superintendent of Police Praveen Pushkar under the leadership of Cyber DSP Kailash Prasad Mahato in the Mohanpur police station and Pathardda OP areas.
During the operation, police seized 14 mobile phones, 14 SIM cards and two mirror (clone) SIM cards. Preliminary technical analysis revealed that several of the recovered mobile numbers and IMEI numbers matched cyber fraud complaints registered across multiple states, indicating that the gang’s activities extended beyond Jharkhand.
“The recovered mobile numbers and IMEI numbers match cyber fraud complaints registered in several states. The gang was not limited to Deoghar or Jharkhand but was operating on an interstate scale,” cyber police said, adding that technical examination of the seized electronic devices is underway to identify other members of the network.
According to the investigation, the accused allegedly impersonated officials of Flipkart, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PhonePe, Airtel Payment Bank and credit card companies to defraud unsuspecting victims. Police said the gang lured people with fake cashback offers, posed as customer care executives and circulated malicious APK files in the name of the PM Kisan Yojana, electricity bills and RTO challans to gain remote access to victims’ mobile phones and bank accounts.
Investigators further alleged that the accused posed as Airtel Payment Bank officials, falsely claiming customers’ cards had been blocked and collecting banking credentials on the pretext of reactivation. Fake credit card links were also allegedly used to steal financial information.
In a related operation at Amgachhi village under the Mohanpur police station area, police said family members and villagers allegedly obstructed a raid, allowing a suspect to escape through the roof of the house. Two family members were detained for questioning in connection with the incident.
Police said “the raid was launched after tracking a mobile number flagged on the Pratibimb portal in connection with a cyber fraud case” as per Hindustan. Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged cybercrime network.
