Cyber Crime
Bhopal Police Busts Inter-State Gang Forging IDs and Running Cyber Fraud Empire
BHOPAL: The Hanumanganj Police Station in Bhopal has dismantled an inter-state gang originating from Patna, Bihar. The group, consisting of seven individuals, specialized in creating fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, SIM cards, and bank accounts to perpetrate large-scale cyber fraud and financial scams across the country.
Modus Operandi
The gang operated through a fake call center and carried out fraudulent activities in multiple states, amassing significant sums of money. police received a tip-off that some suspicious individuals had purchased SIM cards from a local mobile shop in Bhopal using forged Aadhaar cards.
Upon investigation, authorities discovered that while the photos on the Aadhaar cards were identical, the names and addresses differed. Recognizing the severity of the issue, police registered a case and launched a detailed inquiry.
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How the Gang Operated
The primary accused, Shashikant Kumar, and his associates used advanced technological tools to fabricate Aadhaar and PAN cards. Shashikant accessed Aadhaar data from Jharkhand to identify cards not linked with PAN cards. If a PAN card was missing, he created one, attaching his associates’ photos to the forged documents. These fake identities were then used to procure SIM cards and open bank accounts.
Police Action
Acting swiftly, a police team raided the suspects’ flat in the Ibrahimganj area, seizing a trove of fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, ATM cards, SIM cards, mobile phones, laptops, printers, and other equipment. The accused utilized these forged documents to open bank accounts and obtain SIM cards, which were then used for cyber fraud and financial crimes.
Arrested Accused : Shashikant Kumar, Sapna , Ankit Kumar Sahu, Kaushal Mali, Roshan Kumar, Ranjan Kumar, Mohammad Titu.
Nationwide Fraud
The accused opened fake bank accounts in cities like Mumbai, Lucknow, Indore, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Shashikant and his associates sold these accounts to scammers for Rs 10,000 each. These accounts were also used for obtaining fraudulent loans and conducting gaming-related scams. To evade detection, the gang frequently changed their operations and created new identities.
Police Team’s Efforts
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Riaz Iqbal, Additional DCP Shalini Dixit, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Rakesh Singh Baghel, the Hanumanganj Police team achieved this breakthrough. The operation was led by (SHO) Avdhesh Singh Bhadauria, along with a dedicated team of officers.
Vigilance and Public Awareness
The police have launched a search for other suspects and are investigating the gang’s broader network. This case highlights the increasing use of sophisticated technology by criminals for cyber fraud and identity theft.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving fake documents to the police.
This significant bust underscores the need for heightened awareness and stringent measures to counter evolving cybercrime tactics.