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The Patna cybercrime police have arrested five individuals in two separate cybercrime cases during a special anti-cybercrime अभियान, officials said on Tuesday. The arrests include four members of an organised gang allegedly involved in ATM card-swapping frauds and another accused linked to online scams through fake service and finance websites.
Police said the action was part of a focused drive aimed at curbing rising incidents of digital fraud targeting bank customers and online users across the city and neighbouring districts.
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ATM card-swapping gang busted
In the first case, four accused were taken into custody for allegedly cheating ATM users by surreptitiously swapping debit cards and withdrawing cash from multiple locations. Investigators said the group operated in a coordinated manner, targeting unsuspecting customers at crowded ATM kiosks.
According to police officials, the gang members would approach victims under the pretext of offering assistance at ATMs. Taking advantage of confusion or momentary distraction, they would exchange the victim’s debit card with a similar-looking card and later use the original card to withdraw money from different ATMs.
The arrested accused have been identified as Dheeraj Kumar, Parveen Kumar, Anand Singh and Vijay Kumar Singh. Police said preliminary verification revealed that the four have criminal antecedents spanning several districts in Bihar and adjoining states.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to operating as part of a wider network that shared information on ATM locations, withdrawal limits and movement of police patrols. Police are now examining whether the group was involved in similar incidents reported in other cities.
Separate arrest in fake website scam
In a separate case, the cyber police arrested Abhijeet Kumar, a resident of Nalanda district, for allegedly running cyber fraud operations through fake service and finance-related websites. Officials said the accused created websites that closely resembled legitimate platforms offering financial services, customer support and loan assistance.
Victims were allegedly lured into sharing personal details and making payments under the impression that they were dealing with authorised service providers. Once the money was transferred, communication would cease, and the websites would either be taken down or rendered inactive.
Police said digital devices seized from the accused are being analysed to identify the full scale of operations, including financial trails, domain registrations and possible accomplices.
Part of a wider crackdown
Senior police officials said the arrests were made during a special anti-cybercrime campaign launched in response to a steady rise in complaints related to ATM fraud, phishing, fake investment platforms and fraudulent websites.
“The objective of the campaign is not only to arrest offenders but also to disrupt organised cybercrime networks and prevent repeat offences,” an official said, adding that data from past cases is being used to identify patterns and hotspots.
Authorities said the cyber police station has stepped up monitoring of ATM frauds, particularly card-swapping cases, which continue to be reported despite repeated public advisories.
Advisory to the public
Police have once again urged citizens to exercise caution while using ATMs and online services. Customers have been advised not to accept help from strangers at ATM kiosks, to shield keypads while entering PINs, and to immediately contact their bank if a card is lost or suspected to have been swapped.
Users have also been warned against accessing financial or service-related websites through unsolicited links and sharing personal or banking details on unverified platforms.
Any suspected cybercrime should be reported promptly to the cybercrime helpline or the nearest cyber police station, officials said, noting that early reporting significantly improves the chances of recovery and timely intervention.
Investigation ongoing
Police said further arrests cannot be ruled out as investigations continue into both cases. Authorities are working to identify additional victims, trace the flow of money and establish whether the accused were linked to larger interstate cybercrime syndicates.
Officials added that the anti-cybercrime campaign will continue in the coming weeks, with increased surveillance, public awareness initiatives and targeted action against repeat offenders.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
