Mirzapur Police Cracks Down on Inter-State Cyber Fraud Network
In a significant breakthrough, the Mirzapur police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated inter-state cyber fraud racket, leading to the seizure of more than 11,600 old mobile phones, along with vehicles and cash. The operation, which has sent shockwaves through the region, was announced by Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna, who also declared a cash reward of Rs1 lakh for the dedicated police team involved in the crackdown.
Coordinated Police Action Leads to Major Bust
The decisive action was executed by a joint team comprising officers from the Lalganj police station and the Special Operations Group (SOG)/surveillance unit, all operating under the expert supervision of Superintendent of Police Aparna Rajat Kaushik. Acting swiftly on a credible tip-off, police personnel intercepted a suspicious truck near the Tendui toll plaza on March 16, resulting in the immediate arrest of eight accused individuals at the scene.
Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, authorities uncovered a staggering haul of 11,605 old mobile phones. The total estimated value of the seized items, including the phones and other assets, is approximately Rs1 crore, highlighting the scale and profitability of the illicit operation.
Unraveling the Cyber Fraud Scheme
During intensive interrogation, the arrested accused disclosed intricate details of their criminal activities. They revealed that the old phones were systematically collected from various states across India, primarily through deceptive exchanges for utensils or outright theft. "These devices were then meticulously repaired and disassembled for parts, which were subsequently sold to cyber fraud gangs operating extensively in Bihar and Kolkata," explained Superintendent Kaushik.
The investigation uncovered that the sensitive personal data stored on these phones—including critical information such as Aadhaar numbers, PAN details, bank account information, and contact lists—was exploited to execute sophisticated financial frauds. Financial scrutiny further exposed suspicious transactions, with over Rs45 lakh being routed through a single bank account belonging to one of the accused, underscoring the monetary impact of the racket.
This bust marks a crucial step in combating cybercrime in the region, as police continue to probe deeper into the network's connections and modus operandi to prevent future scams.
