Cyber Fraud Crackdown: 11 Arrested in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand; 262 Fake Social Media IDs Exposed
Raipur
The Raipur Range Police have busted a major cyber fraud racket operating fake call centres in Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) and Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), arresting 11 individuals. The police cracked down on 262 fraudulent social media profiles across Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, which collectively had over 50 lakh followers.
The arrested individuals operated a well-organised network that defrauded thousands of people across various states. They used fake social media IDs, prominently displaying women’s photographs and fictitious mobile numbers, to target marriage aspirants. Victims who called the given numbers were duped into paying money under the pretext of providing biodata, contact details, and addresses of potential brides.
The arrests followed an extensive investigation into mule bank accounts reported on the Cyber Crime Portal. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Raipur Range Amresh Mishra had earlier instructed the Range Cyber Police Station to investigate mule accounts involved in cyber crimes.
Based on technical evidence and transaction details from the mule accounts, police initially arrested four persons. Subsequent technical analysis of their mobile phones revealed the network’s operation in Jamshedpur and Bilaspur.
Raids in Jamshedpur led to the arrest of three accused, and eight more were arrested in Bilaspur, bringing the total arrests to 11. The police seized 36 mobile phones and other incriminating material from the accused.
A case was registered at DD Nagar Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the holders of 79 mule bank accounts opened in HDFC Bank.
Police stated that further investigation is ongoing, and more arrests will follow as additional names of persons involved in creating and managing the fake social media IDs and using the mule accounts surface. All arrested accused will be sent to judicial custody.
Arrested Accused Details
From Jamshedpur, Jharkhand:
- Shubham Das (26) – Chakulia, Jamshedpur
- Laxman Gop (29) – Lodhasholi, Jamshedpur
- Asit Patar (24) – Bardikanpur, Jamshedpur
From Bilaspur and Other Areas, Chhattisgarh:
- Suraj Kumar Patel (21) – Sirgitti, Bilaspur
- Sukhsagar Kaivart (22) – Sirgitti, Bilaspur
- Mansu Dahire (21) – Sirgitti, Bilaspur
- Aniket Kuldip (20) – Residing in Sirgitti, Bilaspur
- Karan Pushpkar (22) – Sirgitti, Bilaspur
- Ramakant Gandharv (22) – Ghutur Kund, Kawardha
- Siraj Khan (20) – Ashok Nagar, Bilaspur
- Triyambak Kumar Bhaskar alias Babu (27)
