Amid a steady rise in cybercrime incidents, police in Rajasthan’s Dungarpur district have busted a large and organised cyber fraud network, exposing a scam involving transactions worth ₹160 crore. Officials said the operation is the biggest cybercrime crackdown recorded in the district so far, involving forged bank accounts, digital tools and financial trails spread across multiple states.
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Investigations revealed that the accused targeted economically vulnerable individuals, including daily-wage labourers, poor families and school and college students, by luring them with promises of access to government welfare schemes, assistance in obtaining PAN cards, and scholarships. Using documents obtained under these pretences, the gang allegedly opened more than 450 fake bank accounts, which were then used to route illicit online transactions nationwide.
Police said the accounts were opened across several banks, including IndusInd Bank, HDFC Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. Suspicious digital transactions conducted through these accounts cumulatively amounted to nearly ₹160 crore, making the operation one of the most extensive cyber fraud cases uncovered in the region.
According to officials, four key accused linked to the network have been arrested so far. During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to exploiting the financial and social vulnerability of victims by persuading them to open or allow the use of bank accounts in their names. These accounts were later used as mule accounts for fraudulent digital transactions. Police said several other suspects have been identified and efforts are underway to track and arrest them.
District-level data underscores the growing scale of cybercrime in Dungarpur. In 2024, police recorded 130 cyber fraud cases, involving losses of more than ₹2.30 crore. FIRs were registered in 29 cases, leading to the arrest of 51 cyber offenders. As a result of these actions, police recovered ₹64.56 lakh, which was returned to affected victims.
The trend continued in 2025, with 137 cyber fraud cases reported in the district, causing losses exceeding ₹1.62 crore. Police registered FIRs in 13 cases and arrested 47 accused, recovering ₹65.99 lakh, which was subsequently refunded to victims. Investigations in the remaining cases are still ongoing.
Officials said the crackdown also led to the seizure of a large volume of mobile phones, laptops and vehicles used in committing the crimes. In addition, 225 SIM cards and IMEI numbers were blocked to prevent further misuse. Through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, police also recovered more than 237 lost or stolen mobile phones, which were returned to their rightful owners.
Police stressed that enforcement alone cannot curb cybercrime unless accompanied by sustained public awareness initiatives. As part of preventive measures, Dungarpur police have conducted over 200 cyber awareness programmes across the district, reaching nearly 25,000 people. These programmes focused on safe digital practices, identifying suspicious calls and links, and avoiding the sharing of sensitive personal information.
The district police chief said cybercriminals constantly evolve their methods and often target individuals with limited digital literacy. Citizens were advised to remain cautious while responding to unknown calls, clicking on links, sharing OTPs or submitting identity documents online.
Officials said the police aim to build a strong protective barrier between cybercriminals and the public by combining enforcement, technology and awareness. However, they emphasised that alert and informed citizens remain the most effective defence against cyber fraud.
Investigating agencies indicated that further arrests and additional recoveries linked to the network cannot be ruled out in the coming days, as financial trails and digital evidence continue to be analysed.
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.
