The Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) has exposed a sophisticated cyber fraud network operating in the state. The network was involved in investment scams and digital arrest schemes, utilizing illegal financial transactions with the collusion of Chinese fraudsters. Cyber DSP Neha Bala announced the details on Saturday. Acting on the orders of CID DG Anurag Gupta, the CID team swiftly arrested seven members of the gang. Those arrested include Kumar Deepak from Siwan, Bihar; Prabhat Kumar; Kumar Saurabh from Nalanda; Shivam Kumar from Nawada; Anil Kumar and Pradeep Kumar from Patna; and Lakhan Chaurasia from Gopalganj, Madhya Pradesh. Recovered from the cybercriminals were 12 mobile phones, 11 SIM cards, 14 ATM cards, and details of 60 bank accounts obtained from WhatsApp and Telegram chats. DSP Neha Bala stated that the cybercrime police station received a tip on July 4th, revealing the presence of an organized cyber gang at the Olive Garden Hotel in the Jagannathpur police station area. The gang was involved in arranging mule bank accounts (bank accounts used for fraud) and collaborating with Chinese fraudsters. Acting immediately, the CID arrested seven agents from the location. These agents were involved in supplying mule bank accounts from different parts of the country. A special agent, working for Chinese companies like Moon Pay, Dragon Pay, Super Pay, and Mango Pay India, was also apprehended. A large number of bank account details and digital evidence were recovered from the WhatsApp and Telegram chats of the arrested agents linked to the Chinese network. The DSP explained that agents working for the Chinese gang received a special application (APK file) via Telegram. Agents installed this application on the SIM cards linked to the bank accounts. Once installed, the application automatically sent OTPs and alerts related to the bank to Chinese servers. Criminals based in China used this information to remotely access the accounts and commit fraud worth crores of rupees, with information of 60 mule bank accounts identified. The DSP added that the CID has so far identified 60 mule bank accounts, with a total of 68 complaints registered across India. All these bank accounts are linked to investment scams and digital arrest complaints filed in various states, which are reported on the NCRP portal. The Jharkhand CID has appealed to the public to be cautious of any unknown links, calls, or investment proposals. They urge citizens to report any cybercrime immediately to the helpline number 1930.
