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Sonbhadra Cyber Crime Police have arrested two men for allegedly misusing inactive Common Service Centre (CSC) IDs and identity documents belonging to unsuspecting citizens in a cyber fraud network linked to transactions worth approximately ₹3 crore.
The accused have been identified as Ashish Kumar Pandey, a resident of Usmanpur in Mirzapur district, and Abhay Kumar Gound, who lives in Nawapura in Varanasi’s Sarnath area. Police said Pandey worked as a contractual CSC worker.
According to Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police Abhishek Kumar Verma, the accused allegedly obtained login credentials from inactive CSC operators by offering to reactivate their accounts. The credentials were subsequently misused to facilitate cyber fraud.
The investigation also revealed allegations that identity documents belonging to ordinary citizens were used to create and verify new CSC IDs without their knowledge.
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How Were Inactive CSC IDs Used for Cyber Fraud?
Police said the accused targeted Common Service Centre operators whose accounts had become inactive.
They allegedly approached the operators with offers to restore access to their centres and obtained their login credentials during the process.
After gaining access, the accused reportedly changed the passwords and handed over control of the accounts to cyber fraudsters.
Investigators found that the compromised accounts were subsequently used for fraudulent activities.
The accused are also suspected of using identity documents collected from unsuspecting people to create fresh CSC IDs.
These accounts were allegedly verified and made available for cybercrime operations.
According to police, the activities linked to the network involved financial transactions worth approximately ₹3 crore.
The investigation gained momentum following several complaints involving the misuse of personal identities and CSC operator credentials.
Police said multiple individuals and Common Service Centre operators were affected by the alleged racket.
Man Arrested After His Identity Was Allegedly Misused
One of the cases uncovered during the investigation involved Vishal Patel, a resident of Sukrit in Sonbhadra’s Robertsganj area.
According to police, Patel had submitted his identity documents at a Jan Seva Kendra to open a bank account.
However, the documents were allegedly misused to create a CSC ID, which was subsequently verified by the accused.
The account later surfaced in a cybercrime investigation conducted by Gujarat Police.
Patel was arrested after the CSC ID created using his documents was linked to criminal activities.
He maintained that he had no involvement in the fraud and subsequently secured bail.
Police said the case demonstrated how identity documents submitted for routine services could be misused to create accounts associated with cybercrime.
Investigators also identified a CSC ID created in the name of a student, Sushil Kumar, which was allegedly used for fraudulent activities.
Similarly, the operator credentials of two other Jan Seva Kendras were reportedly compromised.
These belonged to Ramesh Kumar Gurjar of Kanhara village in Obra and Savita, wife of Roopnath Prajapati.
The credentials were allegedly used without the knowledge or authorisation of their legitimate holders.
Police Seize Mobile Phones and Motorcycle, Investigation Continues
Following the investigation, Sonbhadra Cyber Crime Police arrested Ashish Kumar Pandey and Abhay Kumar Gound for their alleged involvement in the network.
Police seized mobile phones and a motorcycle during the operation.
The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Investigators are examining how inactive CSC accounts and identity documents were obtained, modified and subsequently used in fraudulent transactions.
The reported ₹3 crore figure represents transactions linked to the suspected network and does not indicate that police have recovered an equivalent amount.
The case has also brought attention to the consequences faced by individuals whose personal documents were allegedly misused without their consent.
Police said several citizens and CSC operators were affected by the racket, including individuals whose credentials were used in criminal activities despite their claims of having no involvement.
The arrests mark a development in the investigation into the alleged misuse of Common Service Centre accounts and identity documents for cyber 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.
