Bhagwanpur village in Fatehpur district, now locally referred to as ‘Jamtara’, has once again emerged as a major hub of organised cyber fraud, with villagers posing as officers of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to extort money from unsuspecting victims across multiple states. Cyber Crime Police have busted the racket, arresting key accused including the son of a former village head and a Common Service Centre (CSC) operator, while at least 12 other gang members remain absconding.
According to police, the gang targeted victims in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh by using impersonation, intimidation and psychological pressure. Technical analysis of seized mobile phones, SIM cards and Call Detail Records (CDRs) is underway to identify additional accused and victims linked to the network.
Impersonation Calls as ATS–CBI Officers
Investigations revealed that the gang first compiled databases of mobile numbers sourced from different states. Victims were then contacted by callers posing as ATS or CBI officers and falsely accused of watching obscene content, participating in illegal online activities or being linked to fabricated criminal cases.
Police said the callers used fear-based narratives, legal jargon and artificial urgency to force victims into transferring money immediately, threatening arrest or legal action if they failed to comply. The gang deliberately focused on Hindi-speaking states to maximise compliance through confusion and fear.
November 24 Raid Uncovered the Network
On November 24, 2025, Cyber Crime Police carried out a raid in Bhagwanpur village under Gazipur police station limits. During the operation, Tribhuvan Singh alias Ramsanehi, Jitendra Singh and Rahul Singh were arrested. Their interrogation exposed the scale and structure of the racket.
Subsequently, police arrested Jitendra Singh, son of former village head Amar Singh. Based on his disclosure, Avinash, a CSC operator from Banda district, was also arrested. Investigators said the CSC operator played a crucial role by facilitating SIM cards, bank accounts and KYC-enabled services, enabling withdrawal and circulation of extorted money.
However, 12 accused remain absconding, including Rinku Singh, Devnarayan Singh, Anuj Singh, Manoj Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Shivam Singh, Deepak Singh, Akhilesh alias Bhoora Singh, Sonu, Sugga Singh and Shanu Singh.
Former Bihar Jail Inmates Also Involved
Police confirmed that two of the absconding accused — Sugga Singh and Shanu Singh — were recently released from a Bihar jail in connection with an earlier cyber fraud case. Based on technical intelligence, police teams are preparing search operations in Bihar and multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Police Claim: 25 Youths Actively Involved
Cyber Crime Police stated that nearly 25 youths from Bhagwanpur village have been actively involved in cyber fraud over the past several years. Some are currently lodged in jail, while others are operating underground.
Investigators revealed that around 2014, several youths from the village migrated to Bihar in search of employment. Upon returning, they brought back cyber fraud techniques. Over time, unemployed youths joined the operation, transforming it into a structured and organised cybercrime syndicate.
CPT Analysis: Not a Village, but a Cyber Ecosystem
According to the Center for Police Technology (CPT), villages like Bhagwanpur have evolved into localised cybercrime ecosystems rather than isolated crime spots.
CPT’s assessment indicates a layered operational structure:
- One group handles impersonation calls and intimidation
- Another manages SIM cards, bank accounts and CSC-based services
- A third oversees fund routing, withdrawals and internal distribution
Warning from Cyber Expert Triveni Singh
Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Professor Triveni Singh said the case highlights how cybercrime is increasingly shifting to rural pockets rather than remaining confined to urban centres.
“If someone calls claiming to be from ATS, CBI or any central agency and demands money immediately, it is a clear case of cyber fraud. No government agency arrests people or collects money over phone calls,” he said.
He warned that CSC access, mule bank accounts and low-cost SIM cards have become the most powerful tools for modern cybercrime gangs.
Police Advisory
Police have urged citizens to:
- Not panic on receiving threatening calls
- Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a government official
- Never transfer money under pressure
- Immediately report such incidents to the 1930 cyber helpline or the nearest cyber police station
Conclusion
The Bhagwanpur case underscores how cybercrime has evolved into an organised, village-level enterprise using fear, impersonation and institutional loopholes. Police officials said dismantling such networks requires a coordinated approach involving technology, financial institutions, telecom providers and sustained public awareness — without which such ‘digital Jamtaras’ will continue to multiply.
