The Chandigarh Cyber Crime Cell has stepped up operations in a major crackdown spanning 10 Indian states, arresting more than a hundred suspects accused of cyber fraud. Between January and August this year, police action in cybercrime “hotspots” has yielded significant seizures, arrests, and disruption of fraudulent syndicates.
Widespread Raids and Arrests
Over the course of eight months, police conducted 56 raids across states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Delhi NCR, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Bihar. These operations resulted in 109 arrests in six states. The highest number of arrests came from Rajasthan (36), followed by Uttar Pradesh (23), Haryana (12), Punjab (11), Jharkhand (4), and West Bengal (3). The remaining 20 arrests were spread among the other four states.
Assets Frozen and Tech Seized
Law enforcement officials also acted to curtail the financial infrastructure of these cyber fraud networks. In total, ₹2.91 crore linked to alleged fraudulent transactions has been frozen. During these operations, investigators seized 170 mobile phones, five laptops, and six SIM-boxes.
India to Honour Top CISOs from Police, Law Enforcement, and Defence Forces
Modus Operandi & Cross-Border Links
Investigations revealed that many of these frauds were not just local but part of larger coordinated modules. Some of the accused syndicates were found to be operating out of international locations such as Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, and Myanmar. One identified scam type involved impersonating police officers using IVR calls to extort or deceive victims—a method referred to by authorities as “digital arrest” scams.
Simultaneously, local people in Chandigarh have been implicated for acting as “mules.” They allow their bank accounts to be used to transfer or withdraw illicit funds, often in exchange for a commission. SIM cards obtained with fake identities or temporary documents are being used to bypass banking and telecom verification processes.
Challenges Faced & Ongoing Efforts
The Cyber Crime Cell faces multiple hurdles. Many gangs operate from rural or semi-urban areas with poor infrastructure, making verification and data recovery difficult. Also, bureaucratic procedures and obtaining jurisdictional approvals from different states often lead to delays.
To address these challenges, authorities are leveraging the “Pratibimb” module under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This platform maps criminal networks and their infrastructure across state lines, enabling better coordination. Simultaneously, banks have been alerted to monitor suspicious transactions, abnormal withdrawals, and third-party or proxy transfers.