Jamtara. Jamtara police have arrested six people in separate cases of alleged cyber fraud and mobile snatching as part of a crackdown on cybercrime and street offences in the district. Four of the accused have been arrested for their alleged involvement in cyber fraud, while two others were held in connection with a mobile-snatching case. Police recovered eight mobile phones, 10 SIM cards and a motorcycle from the cybercrime suspects. Two smartphones and another motorcycle were seized in the mobile-snatching case.
According to police, the cybercrime suspects were arrested after a raid in Palash forest near the Sakalpur-Gopalpur road under the Karmatanr police station area on Saturday evening. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested 25-year-old Farooq Ansari, 30-year-old Samsuddin Ansari, 22-year-old Jani Babu and 24-year-old Kaleem Ansari, all residents of the area. Mobile phones and SIM cards were recovered from their possession.
Targeted victims through banking app activation
The preliminary investigation suggests that the accused contacted people on the pretext of helping them activate or operate banking applications. They allegedly persuaded victims to use WhatsApp and screen-sharing applications during the interaction. Once screen sharing was enabled, the accused could allegedly view banking-related information appearing on the victim’s mobile phone.
Police said the suspects allegedly used this access to obtain sensitive banking credentials, including user IDs, passwords and one-time passwords. These details were then allegedly used to transfer money through net banking.
Cybercrime expert flags screen-sharing risks
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof Triveni Singh said fraudsters increasingly rely on social engineering to obtain banking credentials rather than directly attacking banking systems. He said allowing an unknown person to access a mobile screen in the name of activating or updating a banking application can expose sensitive financial information.
He advised people to seek banking assistance only through official channels and never share OTPs, PINs or passwords or allow screen sharing with unknown persons. According to him, even a seemingly harmless request to assist with a banking application can give fraudsters access to information that may be used for unauthorised transactions.
Police examine digital evidence
Police are now conducting a technical examination of the mobile phones and SIM cards recovered from the accused. Investigators are trying to establish whom the suspects were in contact with, which mobile numbers were used and whether the devices were linked to other cyber fraud incidents.
The investigation will also examine the ownership and usage history of the recovered SIM cards. Police are checking whether they were used for banking transactions, communication with other members of the alleged network or other online activities. Digital evidence is expected to help investigators identify possible associates and establish the wider network.
Two arrested in mobile-snatching case
In a separate operation, police arrested two more people in connection with a mobile-snatching incident reported on August 27. The accused have been identified as Rahul Singh and Dinesh Das, both residents of Piersol under Chitra police station in Deoghar district. Both are in their mid-20s.
According to police, the two were intercepted near Mission Chowk during a vehicle-checking drive. Two smartphones were recovered from their possession. Police also seized a motorcycle allegedly used in the offence.
All six sent to judicial custody
Police said surveillance and vehicle-checking operations have been intensified across the district to prevent cybercrime as well as street offences. The two separate operations resulted in the arrests of all six accused, who were subsequently produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.
Investigators are now examining the seized mobile phones, SIM cards and other evidence. Police said digital records and contact details found during the investigation could lead to other suspects or associates. In the cyber fraud case, investigators are particularly focusing on the accused persons’ digital communications, banking links and possible connections with a wider network involved in online financial fraud.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
