Cybercriminals posing as officials of the State Bank of India’s YONO (You Only Need One) platform have been exposing unsuspecting victims to fraud in Jamtara district, Jharkhand, a region long associated with cyber scams, police said. The deception involved calls and messages designed to trick people into revealing sensitive banking information, leading to financial loss or risk of fraud.
According to law enforcement authorities, the gang pretended to be SBI YONO representatives contacting individuals by phone and offering to help with app updates or related services. Once victims engaged with the impostors, they were lured into sharing confidential details or clicking on malicious links — a common vector used by cybercriminals to gain access to bank accounts or personal data.
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Jamtara Police Nab Four Impersonators in Cyber Fraud Crackdown
Acting on reports of fraud and complaints from local residents, the Jamtara police launched an operation and arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the racket. The arrests followed a police raid near Digadih village after information indicated the group was actively carrying out calls posing as bank officials.
Police identified the arrested individuals as Ibrahim Ansari, Husain Ansari, Sakir Ansari and Siraj Ansari, all reported to be residents of Giridih and Karmatand police station areas. During the raid, officers seized seven mobile phones and eight SIM cards obtained using false identities, which were allegedly used to operate the fake YONO call centre.
Preliminary investigation by the Jamtara Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Mehta suggests the gang collected information about potential victims through online sources such as e-commerce databases and then initiated contact by phone. They would claim to be calling on behalf of SBI YONO, propose an update or offer assistance, and attempt to harvest personal and financial information.
Modus Operandi and Cybercrime Patterns
This scam is part of a larger pattern of cyber fraud operations emanating from Jamtara, an area that has frequently been linked with “fraud KYC updates,” phishing links, and bank impersonation scams. In many cases, fraudsters pose as officials of trusted institutions to trick victims into disclosing passwords, OTPs, or other sensitive credentials.
Authorities note that such scams often begin with an unsolicited call or message, followed by false claims that the user’s app, account, or KYC needs updating. When a victim complies, the fraudsters collect login credentials or persuade them to install bogus apps, leading to unauthorised access or fund transfers.
While the criminals in this particular case were apprehended, cybercrime units warn that similar impersonation tactics continue to be used across states, and consumers must remain vigilant when dealing with unsolicited banking or investment calls.
Police and Public Safety Advisory
Police have confirmed that the arrested suspects are now in custody and further investigation is underway to map the full extent of the fraud network and identify any additional victims. Law enforcement emphasises that people should never share banking credentials, OTPs, passwords, or personal details in response to unsolicited calls or text messages claiming to be from bank officials.
Officials also reminded the public that genuine banking communications do not ask for sensitive information through unsolicited phone calls, and that any suspicious contact should be reported promptly to the bank or the cybercrime police station.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
