Bhagalpur Police Crack Down on Cyber Fraud Targeting PM-Kisan Beneficiaries
In a significant breakthrough, the cyber cell of Bhagalpur police conducted coordinated raids on Tuesday night, leading to the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in a sophisticated cyber fraud operation. The gang is accused of siphoning off funds from beneficiaries of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme by impersonating bank officials and tricking victims into sharing sensitive information.
Details of the Arrests and Investigation
The arrests were made following a complaint filed by a villager from Kahalgaon, which prompted a technical probe by the cyber police team. This investigation uncovered a large-scale scam that is believed to have impacted more than 8,000 beneficiaries across the region. The arrested individuals have been identified as Rajkumar Das, son of Chhotelal Sah, residing in Dautbat locality under Habibpur police station, and Dipak Sharma, son of Bijay Sharma, a resident of Radha Nagar under Sajour police station.
According to police sources, the gang employed deceptive tactics to target gullible PM-Kisan beneficiaries. They would contact victims under the guise of bank officials, claiming that e-KYC updates were required for their accounts. By convincing individuals to share personal details, including One-Time Passwords (OTPs), the fraudsters gained unauthorized access to bank accounts and transferred funds into accounts controlled by the gang.
Scope of the Fraud and Ongoing Efforts
The cyber police team, led by DSP (cyber cell) Kanishk Srivastava, launched a scientific and technical investigation after receiving the complaint from Chandan Kumar Sah, a resident of Badluganj village in Kahalgaon subdivision. Following verification of the inputs, the team executed raids that resulted in the arrests. The magnitude of this fraud appears to be massive, with initial estimates suggesting the number of victims could exceed 8,000, indicating a widespread and organized operation.
During the raids, authorities seized crucial evidence, including a laptop, two cellphones, six ATM cards, four bank passbooks, cheque books, and other incriminating documents. DSP Srivastava emphasized that efforts are ongoing to uncover the wider network behind this scam, as officials suspect the involvement of a larger organized criminal syndicate. An in-depth investigation is currently underway to trace all connections and prevent further fraudulent activities.
Impact on PM-Kisan Scheme and Public Awareness
This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by beneficiaries of government welfare schemes like PM-Kisan, which provides financial support to farmers. The scam underscores the importance of public awareness regarding cyber security practices, such as never sharing OTPs or personal details with unsolicited callers. Authorities are urging citizens to verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from banks or government agencies before divulging sensitive information.
As the investigation progresses, Bhagalpur police are working closely with banking institutions and cyber security experts to enhance protective measures and ensure the safety of scheme beneficiaries. This arrest serves as a warning to potential fraudsters and a step towards safeguarding public funds in the digital age.
