Jamtara Police have arrested three men accused of running a fake customer-care fraud in which victims were allegedly persuaded to install screen-sharing applications on their phones.
Police say the accused used fake mobile numbers as customer-care contacts for e-commerce and digital-payment companies.
Once a victim called or interacted with them, the accused allegedly offered to resolve the problem and asked the person to download a screen-sharing application.
Investigators say banking information was then obtained and used for cyber fraud.
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Raid Conducted Near Murli Pahari
The arrests were made in the Narayanpur police station area of Jamtara district.
Police said they acted on specific information and formed a raid team under the leadership of Cyber DSP Amit Kumar.
The team included Cyber Police Station in-charge Rajesh Mandal and other officers.
The raid was carried out near a water tank along the paved road connecting Murli Pahari with Eidgah Mor.
Police said the three suspects were caught while allegedly engaged in cybercrime-related activity.
Three Jamtara Residents Arrested
The arrested men were identified as Arif Ansari, 28, Shahrukh Ansari, 40, and Jiten Ansari, 24.
All three are residents of Bandardua village under Narayanpur police station in Jamtara district.
Police recovered four mobile phones and six SIM cards from them.
The devices are expected to be examined for call records, contacts, payment information and links to other suspected cybercrime activity.
Fake Numbers Were Used as Customer Care Contacts
According to police, the accused used mobile numbers that they presented as customer-care helplines of e-commerce and e-payment companies.
That method works because people facing a failed payment, refund delay or account problem often search online for customer-care contact information.
Fraudsters can exploit that urgency by placing or circulating fake helpline numbers that appear legitimate.
Once the victim makes contact, the criminal already knows that the person is looking for help and is therefore more likely to follow instructions.
Victims Were Asked to Install Screen-Sharing Apps
Police say the accused would offer to resolve the victim’s problem and then ask them to install a screen-sharing application.
Screen-sharing tools are legitimate software.
They are commonly used for remote technical support, office collaboration and troubleshooting.
The danger begins when a fraudster convinces a victim to grant access or share the phone screen.
That may allow the attacker to watch what appears on the device, guide the victim through banking applications or capture sensitive information displayed during transactions.
Banking Information Was Allegedly Collected
Investigators say the accused used the screen-sharing process to obtain confidential banking information.
Police have not yet disclosed the names of the specific applications involved or the total amount allegedly stolen.
They have also not said how many victims have been identified.
Those details may emerge after investigators analyse the seized phones and SIM cards.
Why This Scam Can Be Convincing
Fake customer-care fraud works because the criminal often enters the conversation at the exact moment when the victim expects technical assistance.
A customer may already be worried about a failed UPI payment, missing refund or blocked transaction.
The fraudster then behaves like a support executive and asks the victim to perform actions that sound technical.
Installing an app may therefore appear to be part of the troubleshooting process.
But legitimate customer-care staff should not need remote access to a customer’s personal banking screen to process a normal refund or payment complaint.
Search Results Can Also Lead Victims to Fraudsters
One common version of this fraud involves fake customer-care numbers appearing on websites, advertisements, social-media pages or search results.
A victim searching for help may call the number without verifying whether it belongs to the company.
The fraudster then takes control of the conversation.
Police have not disclosed exactly how the Jamtara suspects distributed their fake numbers.
That part of the alleged operation remains under investigation.
Screen Sharing Can Expose More Than Banking Details
Once a victim shares a screen, an attacker may potentially see notifications, account balances, payment applications and information entered during the session.
Depending on the permissions granted, some remote-access applications can provide even greater control over a device.
This is why banks and payment companies repeatedly warn customers not to install remote-access software at the request of unknown callers.
The software itself may be legitimate.
The fraud comes from the person who persuades the user to install or operate it for a malicious purpose.
Phones and SIM Cards May Reveal Wider Network
Police hope questioning and technical analysis of the seized devices will provide information about a broader cybercrime network.
The six recovered SIM cards could help investigators identify numbers used to impersonate customer-care services.
Call records may also reveal other operators or suspected victims.
Investigators can compare numbers and transaction information with complaints registered through cybercrime portals and police stations in other states.
Jamtara has repeatedly appeared in cybercrime investigations involving operators targeting victims far outside Jharkhand.
Case Registered Under BNS and IT Act
Police have registered Cyber Police Station Case No. 65/26 against the accused.
The FIR invokes relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technology Act and Telecommunications Act.
Police said proceedings were underway to send the three accused to judicial custody.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and court proceedings.
What this means for you
Never install a screen-sharing or remote-access application because someone claiming to be customer care asks you to do so. Find helpline numbers only through the company’s official app or website, and never allow an unknown person to watch or control your banking screen.
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