Jamui: A suspected cyber fraudster allegedly linked to a nationwide cybercrime network has been arrested in Bihar’s Jamui district during a joint operation by the Cyber Crime and Security Unit (CCSU) and the local Cyber Police Station. According to police, the accused, identified as Ranjan alias Sachin Das of Budhikhar village in the Jhajha police station area, is connected to more than 122 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) through his mobile number and bank accounts. Authorities are continuing a detailed technical and financial investigation into the digital evidence and banking transactions.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused allegedly lured people into opening bank accounts in their names or rented existing bank accounts from account holders. These accounts were then allegedly used to receive and transfer money generated through cyber fraud. Police said such accounts functioned as “mule accounts,” making it more difficult for investigators to trace the origin of funds and identify the ultimate beneficiaries.
Investigators alleged that the accused and his associates targeted victims through fake online loan offers, lottery scams, fraudulent investment schemes and other cyber frauds. To carry out these operations, they allegedly used fake SIM cards, QR codes, APK files and multiple bank accounts. The fraud proceeds were reportedly transferred through several accounts to obscure the money trail before being spent through online shopping and other digital transactions.
During the raid, police recovered several digital and banking-related items based on information provided by the accused. The seized materials include three mobile phones, an HP laptop, three Wi-Fi devices, an Airtel Payments Bank biometric device, passbooks of nine bank accounts, four cheque books, two ATM cards, three QR codes, electronic networking equipment and documents allegedly related to fake business registrations. Investigators believe these recoveries will help reconstruct the operational structure of the alleged cybercrime network.
Police also uncovered additional evidence during the investigation. According to officials, the accused’s mobile number alone is linked to more than 75 complaints on the NCRP. In addition, two of the recovered bank accounts are associated with 24 and 23 cyber fraud complaints, respectively. Altogether, the mobile number and bank accounts are connected to more than 122 cybercrime complaints, indicating the suspected scale of the operation.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh said cybercriminals are increasingly relying on rented bank accounts and mule accounts instead of using their own financial identities, making it harder for law enforcement agencies to trace illicit funds. He noted that the combined use of fake SIM cards, APK files, QR codes and rented bank accounts has become a common operating model for organised cybercrime groups. According to him, arresting individual suspects is only the first step, and investigators must thoroughly examine the financial network, beneficiaries and digital trail to dismantle the entire syndicate.
Police are now conducting technical and financial analysis of the seized electronic devices, bank accounts, beneficiary accounts and digital evidence. Officials said banking records, transaction histories and electronic data are being subjected to forensic examination to identify the complete money trail and uncover the roles of other individuals linked to the network. Further action will be taken against additional suspects based on the findings of the investigation.
Authorities have urged the public not to rent out or hand over their bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books, SIM cards or KYC documents to anyone. Officials warned that misuse of such financial and identity resources in cybercrime can also bring the account holder under legal scrutiny. Police said the investigation is continuing to identify every individual connected to the alleged cyber fraud network and expose its complete operational structure.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
