In what officials describe as one of the most significant blows to cybercrime in India, Gujarat Police have dismantled an international fraud network worth more than ₹804 crore. As part of the operation, authorities returned ₹5.51 crore directly to over 65 victims — a rare and symbolic restitution in the country’s fight against online scams.
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The International Racket
Investigators identified “Rockcreek,” a foreign-based company allegedly masterminding the operation. Fraudsters posed as police, CBI, or customs officials, reaching out to citizens through Skype video calls and displaying forged notices to intimidate victims. Under the guise of transferring money into “safe accounts,” victims were coerced into wiring funds that ended up in the syndicate’s hands.
Police sources said the gang relied on advanced digital forgeries, virtual identities, and global banking channels to launder stolen funds across borders.
The Police Response
The state cybercrime unit tracked suspicious financial transactions across multiple countries before mapping the network. Accounts linked to the racket were frozen, and investigators say further arrests may follow.
Victims were handed symbolic checks at a press conference, with officers hailing the “historic recovery” as a milestone in India’s cybercrime enforcement.
Political Praise
Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, praised the crackdown:
“The way Gujarat Police used technology to safeguard citizens’ money is an inspiration for the entire nation. This operation proves that no cybercrime, however vast, is beyond reach.”
Expert Analysis
Professor Triveni Singh, a former IPS officer and cybercrime specialist, said the case highlights a troubling global pattern:
“Cybercriminals are no longer confined by geography. They exploit platforms like Skype, WhatsApp, and Telegram to create fear, forge digital identities, and force instant transfers. Unless countries collaborate on real-time intelligence and impose stricter banking surveillance, such networks will persist.”
Singh added that Gujarat’s operation demonstrates the power of local agencies when they combine technology with international cooperation.
Broader Significance
Experts note that this case stands out not only because of the massive scale of fraud exposed but also because victims saw direct restitution — a rarity in cybercrime cases. Analysts say it sends a strong message that even state-level police forces can take decisive action against global crime syndicates.
