Ranchi: In a large-scale operation against cyber fraud, Jharkhand Police arrested 57 accused across the North Chotanagpur region following coordinated raids in multiple districts. Investigators said the action exposed an organised cybercrime network operating through modular teams involved in impersonation calls and financial fraud.
‘Pratibimba’ App Flags High-Risk Numbers
According to police, the operation was driven by technical surveillance of suspicious mobile numbers flagged through the ‘Pratibimba’ app, which assists in tracking and verifying numbers linked to cyber offences. The tool enabled investigators to identify high-risk numbers and build cases based on digital verification.
Between October 2025 and February 16, 2026, police registered 15 cybercrime cases after verifying the flagged numbers. Preliminary findings indicate that the arrested accused were engaged in making fraudulent calls while posing as bank officials and representatives of other institutions to obtain OTPs, banking credentials and online transaction details from victims.
Investigators said the network was spread across several districts and functioned through separate modules handling calling operations, SIM procurement, bank account management and fund layering. Raids led to the seizure of a large volume of electronic devices, banking instruments and handwritten transaction records.
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Seizures Reveal Scale of Network
Items recovered include 132 mobile phones, 168 SIM cards, 31 ATM cards, seven bank passbooks, three cheque books and 23 registers and notebooks containing transaction logs. Police also retrieved WhatsApp chat data used to coordinate fraud activities. A total of ₹4.67 lakh in cash was seized during the operation.
The probe further revealed that some accused were operating SIM cards and bank accounts using forged documents or identity credentials belonging to other individuals. Recovered identity documents included Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, a voter ID, a labour card and a driving licence.
Police also seized three four-wheelers and seven two-wheelers allegedly used by the network for procuring SIM cards, operating bank accounts and facilitating logistical movement related to fraud activities.
Layered Financial Routing and Forged Identities
Technical analysis suggests that the accused were involved in multiple forms of cyber fraud, including banking and ATM-related scams, OTP-based theft and online transaction fraud. Investigators believe several of those arrested were part of a structured network with members working from different locations to handle calling operations and financial routing.
Interrogation of the accused is underway, and digital devices seized during the raids are being sent for forensic examination to identify additional operatives and trace the financial trail. Police indicated that links to networks in other states are also being examined.
Forensic Analysis and Wider Links Under Probe
Authorities said similar operations will continue as part of intensified monitoring to curb cybercrime in the region. The use of technical tools for real-time identification of suspicious numbers is expected to be expanded.
Police urged citizens not to share OTPs or banking details with unknown callers, avoid clicking on suspicious links and immediately report any cyber fraud to the nearest police station or the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
