The Chandigarh Cyber Crime Cell has intensified its efforts in a nationwide crackdown on cyber fraud, leading to the arrest of more than 100 suspects across 10 Indian states. Between January and August this year, targeted operations in cybercrime hotspots have resulted in multiple arrests, seizures, and the disruption of organised fraud networks.
In a span of eight months, police carried out 56 raids in states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Delhi NCR, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Bihar. These efforts led to 109 arrests across six states. Rajasthan recorded the highest number of arrests with 36, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 23, Haryana with 12, Punjab with 11, Jharkhand with 4, and West Bengal with 3. The remaining 20 arrests were made in the other four states.
To weaken the financial backbone of these fraudulent groups, officials froze assets worth ₹2.91 crore linked to suspicious transactions. Investigators also seized 170 mobile phones, five laptops, and six SIM boxes used for carrying out fraud.
Authorities discovered that several fraud operations were connected to larger international modules with bases in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, and Myanmar. One common scam involved fraudsters impersonating police officers through IVR calls to deceive victims, a method described by investigators as “digital arrest” scams.
Local individuals in Chandigarh have also been found aiding these operations by acting as “money mules.” They allowed their bank accounts to be misused for transferring or withdrawing illegal funds in exchange for commission. Fraudsters further exploited SIM cards procured with fake identities or temporary documents to bypass verification processes in banking and telecom systems.
The crackdown is not without challenges. Many of the gangs operate from rural and semi-urban regions where infrastructure gaps make data recovery and identity verification difficult. Additionally, cross-state procedures and approvals often cause delays in investigations.
To overcome these hurdles, the Cyber Crime Cell is using the “Pratibimb” module under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This platform helps track and map criminal networks and their infrastructure across different states, allowing faster coordination. Banks have also been alerted to flag unusual transactions, sudden large withdrawals, and suspicious proxy transfers.
Authorities emphasise that while these raids mark significant progress, cybercrime networks continue to evolve, requiring constant vigilance and stronger nationwide cooperation.
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