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Trikut Parvat in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district, long revered as a symbol of faith, meditation and spiritual calm, is increasingly drawing attention for the wrong reasons. The hill range, once echoing with chants and visited by devotees seeking solitude, has now reportedly turned into an operational base for cyber fraudsters using laptops and mobile phones to run online scams.
Since the beginning of the new year, cybercrime activity in and around Trikut Parvat has shown a noticeable surge. Investigative inputs indicate that digital locations of more than 15 suspected cyber offenders were traced to this area within a span of one week. Agencies monitoring cyber fraud say the unique geography of the hill and the absence of sustained surveillance have made it an attractive hideout for organised fraud networks.
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Rising to a height of nearly 700 to 800 metres, Trikut Parvat is marked by narrow trails, rough terrain and dense forest cover. The hill has multiple unpaved and lesser-known access routes that are familiar to local operators but difficult to monitor simultaneously. The challenging topography has significantly limited routine patrols and real-time checks, creating gaps that cybercriminals appear to be exploiting.
The situation worsened after the ropeway service to Trikut Parvat was shut down following a fatal accident in April 2022. With the ropeway closed, tourist movement declined sharply, leaving large portions of the hill isolated for extended periods. This reduced footfall, officials say, provided an ideal environment for cyber offenders to quietly establish temporary setups away from public view.
Investigations suggest that fraudsters begin operations early in the day, positioning themselves at different points along the hilltop. From these locations, they allegedly carry out phishing calls, financial fraud and other online scams targeting victims across the country. The groups do not rely solely on digital tools; they are believed to have put in place a well-coordinated ground-level alert system.
According to sources familiar with the probe, associates of the fraudsters are stationed along approach roads, nearby villages and key access points at the foothills. These individuals act as lookouts, relaying information about any unusual movement. The moment a police vehicle or unfamiliar activity is spotted, alerts are sent uphill. Acting on these warnings, the suspects either relocate quickly or dismantle their equipment and disappear through forest routes.
The developments have caused concern among locals, especially given the religious importance of Trikut Parvat. The hill is traditionally associated with the worship of the Hindu trinity and is home to an ancient Durga shrine at its base. Local belief also links the site to a place of worship associated with Sita. The presence of criminal activity in such a sacred zone has unsettled residents and devotees alike.
Residents living near the hill say they had noticed unusual movement and unfamiliar faces for months but assumed the activity was linked to construction or sporadic tourism. The lack of easy access and fear of venturing deep into the forested slopes meant that complaints remained limited. With cybercrime links now coming to light, demands for tighter control have grown louder.
At the administrative level, steps are being initiated to strengthen monitoring in and around Trikut Parvat. These include increasing technical surveillance, mapping hidden trails and disrupting local support networks that help offenders evade detection. Authorities acknowledge that without a permanent and multi-layered security presence, curbing such activities in remote and forested terrain will remain a challenge.
As cybercrime continues to adapt and seek unconventional safe havens, Trikut Parvat stands as a stark example of how sacred and secluded spaces can be misused. Restoring the hill’s identity as a centre of faith and tourism while ensuring security has now emerged as a key test for the administration.
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.
