An interstate cyber fraud gang operating from Bihar’s capital Patna has been busted for allegedly cheating people of crores of rupees by promising gas connections and claiming to assist in disconnection services. Four members of the gang have been arrested during a raid, including the alleged mastermind of the operation. The group had been targeting residents of Mumbai while running its network from a rented flat in Patna for several months.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the gang had been active for nearly five to six months from a flat located in the New Jaganpura area under the Ramkrishna Nagar police jurisdiction. From there, the accused reportedly carried out an organised online fraud operation, approaching potential victims through digital platforms and persuading them to transfer money under the pretext of gas-related services. Authorities suspect that dozens of people may have already fallen victim to the scheme, with the total fraud amount running into crores.
The arrested accused have been identified as Shridhar, Gultan Yadav, Arun Mandal, and Pankaj Kumar. Among them, Shridhar, a resident of Pune in Maharashtra, is believed to be the mastermind behind the network. The other three accused — Gultan Yadav, Arun Mandal, and Pankaj Kumar — are reportedly residents of Madhupur in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district.
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Fraud Network Operated from a Flat in New Jaganpura
Following a tip-off, a team investigating cyber crimes conducted a raid at the flat in the New Jaganpura locality. During the operation, all four accused were apprehended from the spot. Investigators believe the gang deliberately operated from Patna while targeting victims in other states to avoid suspicion at the local level.
According to preliminary findings, the accused contacted victims by posing as representatives of gas agencies. They offered assistance in obtaining new gas connections, transferring existing ones, or deactivating connections. In several cases, victims were told that their gas connection was about to be suspended and that immediate payment was required to keep the service active.
Telegram Used to Identify Potential Victims
Investigators have revealed that the gang used messaging platforms such as Telegram to identify and approach potential victims. The accused reportedly operated through multiple groups and channels where they advertised assistance related to gas services and customer support.
Once victims responded, the fraudsters convinced them to transfer money through various bank accounts or digital payment methods. Due to the urgency created by the scammers, many people made payments without verifying the authenticity of the request, only realizing later that they had been cheated.
18 Mobile Phones Recovered in Raid
During the raid, authorities seized 18 mobile phones from the possession of the accused. Investigators believe these devices may contain crucial digital evidence, including communication records, financial details, and information about other victims.
Technical analysis of the seized devices is currently underway to identify the wider network, potential accomplices, and bank accounts used in the fraud. Officials suspect that the gang may have links to other cyber fraud groups operating across different states.
Cyber Expert Issues Warning
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that such fraud cases largely rely on social engineering tactics used by cyber criminals to manipulate victims.
According to him, “Cyber criminals often send urgent messages related to services such as gas, electricity, banking or KYC updates to create panic and pressure. In such situations, many people transfer money without verifying the authenticity of the request. Citizens should always confirm any payment request through official company sources before taking action.”
Experts advise that individuals should always verify service-related messages through the official website or customer helpline of the concerned company before making any online payment, as this remains one of the most effective ways to prevent cyber fraud.
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.
