Giridih cyber police have dismantled an online fraud network operating from concealed bases inside forested areas under Bengabad police station limits, arresting six men in a raid that investigators say exposed a remote cybercrime setup designed to evade surveillance while targeting victims across the country.
Forest Hideouts Used as Fraud Bases
The operation was led by SP Dr Bimal Kumar, with tactical teams raiding makeshift hideouts in the Charanbari and Kothahariya forests. Police said the gang had deliberately chosen dense forest locations so they could stay away from regular monitoring and maintain a watch on approaching roads.
Investigators believe the remoteness of the area allowed the group to continue large scale siphoning operations without immediate disruption. Such locations are increasingly seen as useful to cybercrime gangs because they combine physical isolation with operational mobility, making detection harder while allowing offenders to frequently shift equipment and personnel.
Police said six operatives were arrested in the action. The men were identified as Mahendra Kumar Mandal, Krishna Kumar Mandal, Ishwar Mandal, Pankaj Kumar Mandal, Ranjit Kumar Mandal and Aditya Kumar Mandal.
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Fake APK Links and Remote Access Trap
The gang used remote access techniques to target mobile users across India. Investigators said the suspects sent fake APK file links to unsuspecting users through text messages or messaging apps. Once a victim clicked the link, the fraudsters allegedly gained complete remote access to the device and were then able to drain bank accounts within minutes.
This method reflects a common pattern in digital financial crime, where victims are persuaded to install malicious applications disguised as service tools, updates or documents. Once control of the phone is compromised, banking details, messages, and authentication processes can be manipulated in real time, leaving victims with very little chance to stop the transfer of funds.
Seizures Point to Organised Operation
During the raid, police recovered 11 mobile phones, 13 SIM cards and five motorcycles, according to the screenshots. The motorcycles were allegedly used to transport equipment and reach the forest hideouts.
SP Dr Bimal Kumar also said several of those arrested were habitual offenders. Many had previously served jail time for cybercrime cases in Delhi and other parts of Giridih. Police said that after their release, they regrouped and shifted their operations into the woods in an attempt to remain hidden from law enforcement.
Investigators have now launched a broader probe into the gang’s financial transactions and bank accounts to trace possible links with interstate cybercrime syndicates. The case underlines how cyber fraud is no longer confined to urban call room style setups and is increasingly adapting to pressure from police by moving into unconventional and harder to detect locations.
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.
