Police in Bihar’s East Champaran district have uncovered a cross border network allegedly involved in cyber fraud and hawala transactions, seizing nearly Rs 69 lakh in cash and arresting suspects after coordinated raids in the Ghorasahan area along the India Nepal border.
Raids Expose Border Linked Financial Racket
A joint team from the Cyber Police Station and personnel from four local police stations carried out late night raids at multiple locations, including Ghorasahan Main Road, the market area and Veerta Chowk. Around half a dozen shops were searched during the operation.
Police said the action followed specific intelligence inputs indicating that money generated through cyber fraud was being funneled into Nepal through bank accounts operated across the border. The operation, officials said, exposed a sophisticated network that routed illegal funds through Nepali banking channels to evade detection.
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Cash, Phones and Bank Documents Seized
Six individuals were arrested in one phase of the operation, while another account refers to five accused being held in Motihari in connection with the same broader network. Police recovered Rs 69 lakh in cash, 11 mobile phones, a currency counting machine, documents linked to multiple Nepali bank accounts and several WhatsApp numbers allegedly used for coordination.
Officials said the seized material is expected to be crucial in decoding the wider network. Preliminary investigation suggests the syndicate was operating a large scale cyber fraud racket, with transactions reportedly exceeding Rs 50 crore. The gang is alleged to have used bank accounts of unsuspecting individuals to channel illicit funds in return for commissions.
Foreign Links and Digital Arrest Modus Under Probe
The Motihari police received information that handlers sitting in Pakistan, Nepal and Gulf countries were directing operatives who used social media to lure victims and then carried out so called digital arrest frauds to extort large sums. One accused, identified as Ankit Kumar of Kalyanpur Khatolwa, allegedly stayed in contact with cyber fraud operators in Pakistan, Nepal, Gulf countries and other locations for a commission of 10 per cent.
Police said the commission amount was allegedly sent by handlers from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, while the fraud proceeds were transferred onward to operators based in Pakistan, Nepal and Gulf countries. The WhatsApp chats and photographs linked to conversations with major cyber fraud operators in Pakistan, Nepal and Gulf countries have been recovered.
Authorities have expanded the scope of the investigation to examine the wider network, including connections across states and international borders, as well as money transfers abroad. Raids and search operations are expected to continue in the coming days.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
