A year-long operation against cybercrime in Varanasi has resulted in the busting of 58 alleged cybercrime gangs and the arrest of 277 accused, including alleged gang leaders. The cases involved investment fraud, fake job offers, cheating of foreign nationals and digital arrest scams.
Police also seized 17 four-wheelers allegedly used in cybercrime and initiated proceedings under the Gangsters Act against 21 accused.
On Monday, the Police Commissioner inspected the cyber police station and cyber cell and reviewed various portals, complaint registers and pending cases. Police officials were instructed to establish a help desk for cybercrime victims and deploy trained personnel to provide prompt assistance.
Over the past year, cybercrime teams busted 15 illegal call centres allegedly involved in investment fraud, fake job offers and scams targeting foreign nationals. A total of 175 accused linked to these centres were arrested.
Investigators said the accused allegedly contacted foreign nationals while posing as American or federal officials and extracted money on different pretexts. Equipment and other material allegedly used by the cyber fraud networks were also recovered.
Police also rescued 550 people who had allegedly become trapped in multi-level marketing schemes and fraudulent networks and handed them over to their families.
To prevent the misuse of mobile connections and devices, police got 10,176 mobile numbers and IMEI numbers of 8,262 mobile devices blocked. The action was aimed at disabling resources allegedly being used for cyber fraud.
In 5 digital arrest cases, police arrested 36 accused and sent them to jail. Around ₹1.20 crore and equipment allegedly linked to cybercrime were recovered. Investigations also covered cases where victims were allegedly intimidated through digital means and threatened with legal action to extort money.
Police disposed of 16,982 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Through prompt intervention, around ₹25 crore allegedly being transferred to accounts controlled by cyber fraudsters was placed on hold across different bank accounts.
After the required legal process, ₹4.50 crore was returned directly to victims’ bank accounts.
Police have advised citizens not to share internet banking IDs, passwords or confidential information, click on suspicious links or download applications at the request of unknown persons.
Victims of online financial fraud have been advised to immediately call the 1930 helpline and file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Police said prompt reporting can improve the chances of stopping fraudulent funds and recovering money.
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