How Did Police in Alwar Bust a ₹100 Crore Cyber Fraud Racket?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Operation Cyber Sangram led to the dismantling of a cybercrime racket in Alwar.
- Six individuals, including a key mastermind, were arrested.
- The operation revealed fraudulent transactions exceeding ₹100 crore.
- The police encourage vigilance against cyber fraud.
- A Special Investigation Team has been formed to continue the investigation.
Jaipur, Sep 19 (NationPress) In a significant achievement during Operation Cyber Sangram, authorities in Rajasthan's Alwar district have effectively broken down a vast cybercrime syndicate tied to online frauds totaling over Rs 100 crore.
Six individuals, including the alleged ringleader Sanjay Arora, have been apprehended for their roles in establishing and distributing numerous mule bank accounts used for laundering money acquired through cyber fraud.
According to Alwar Superintendent of Police Sudhir Chaudhary, this operation was launched in response to the escalating number of cybercrime reports, encompassing incidents of sextortion, scams in online marketplaces, and fraudulent digital transactions.
A dedicated task force from Vaishali Nagar Police Station, spearheaded by Station House Officer Gurudutt Saini, carried out the investigation and successfully traced the clandestine network.
Assisted by the Alwar Cyclone Cell, the probe uncovered a dubious bank account linked to a bogus firm named Laxmi Enterprises, which facilitated fraudulent transactions amounting to Rs 41 crore, with over Rs 2 crore associated with 101 formal complaints.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to fabricating fictitious companies and establishing current accounts under those names, which they sold to cybercriminal organizations.
These mule accounts enabled the rapid transfer of illicit funds, ensuring withdrawals occurred before the accounts were flagged or frozen.
The detained suspects also granted fraudsters complete access to their banking information, including account numbers, IFSC codes, internet banking credentials, and linked mobile numbers.
Communications and transaction arrangements were executed through encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Law enforcement has confiscated a wealth of evidence, including checkbooks, ATM cards, signed cheques, mobile phones, SIM cards, and digital records related to mule account operations.
Given the gravity of the situation and the potential for interstate connections, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police Headquarters, Kamble Sharan Gopinath, to further the investigation and uncover additional operatives and beneficiaries involved in this racket.
The Rajasthan Police urges the public to stay alert against such scams and to report any suspicious banking activities to the nearest police station or cybercrime helpline.
Further arrests are anticipated as the investigation advances.