Bihar Police have busted a major cyber fraud network operating out of Patna, arresting 22 people, including 15 women, during coordinated raids across three locations in the city.
The arrests were made at premises in Lakhan Kutir, Ved Nagar and Saubhagya Sharma Path in the Saguna Mor and Rupaspur areas following specific intelligence inputs from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU). Police said the accused were running illegal call centres to cheat victims across multiple states.
Officials said the gang primarily targeted cyber café operators and small business owners. Using illegally obtained data, members of the syndicate contacted potential victims and lured them with fake promises of B2B services and Aadhaar centre franchises, convincing them to transfer money.
During the operation, police seized 19 laptops, one desktop computer, 53 mobile phones, 12 ATM cards and several incriminating documents. The electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination to trace digital footprints and identify additional links in the network.
According to investigators, the arrested women were largely assigned calling duties and were paid between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000 per month. Their role involved engaging prospective clients and persuading them to fall for the fraudulent schemes.
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Cyber Police Station officials said the racket had been operational for nearly 12 to 18 months and had gradually expanded its reach. Preliminary findings indicate that the proceeds of crime were routed through multiple bank accounts and digital channels to conceal the money trail.
Police believe the syndicate may have connections beyond Bihar, prompting a wider analysis of call detail records, mobile data and banking transactions. Teams are working to map the full structure of the operation and identify remaining suspects.
“The group functioned in an organised manner, with separate teams handling data collection, calling and financial movement,” an officer involved in the probe said, adding that more arrests are likely in the coming days.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious while responding to unsolicited calls, online investment pitches or service offers. People have been advised to verify credentials before making any payments and to report suspicious activity to the nearest cyber police station or helpline.
All arrested accused are currently being questioned, and further investigation is underway to dismantle the wider network and recover defrauded funds.
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.
