Jharkhand’s Deoghar police scored a major victory against cybercrime by raiding a clandestine fake call center tucked away in a jungle near Pathraul. The Tuesday action led to the arrest of 11 fraudsters who had been duping people across India through deceptive online tactics.
The operation stemmed from secret tips, prompting a coordinated strike by cyber and local police units. In the Sarhaita village outskirts, they uncovered a setup relying on multiple mobiles and SIMs to mimic official helplines. The gang replaced genuine contact numbers on search engines with their own, ensnaring callers desperate for help.
Those nabbed were Chandan Kumar, Rahul Kumar Das, Kundan Kumar, Divakar Mehra, Jabbar Ansari, Deepak Kumar Mandal, Prince Kumar Mandal, Neeraj Kumar Das, Sanjay Kumar Das, Rohit Kumar Yadav, and a second Rahul Kumar Das. Recovered items included 11 phones, 12 SIMs, and over a lakh in cash linked to Neeraj, likely from fresh cons.
During questioning, the accused confessed to posing as representatives from PhonePe, Paytm, and banks. They coaxed victims with offers of rewards while extracting confidential data like account info and one-time passwords. This method allowed them to siphon funds seamlessly.
Cases under cyber fraud statutes have been filed, with the suspects sent to court for remand. Officials are now mapping the syndicate’s broader connections and urging the public to verify numbers before calling.
As digital reliance grows, such remote operations highlight vulnerabilities in online searches. Deoghar police’s success serves as a wake-up call for heightened vigilance against tech-savvy thieves hiding in plain wilderness.