Interstate Cyber Fraud Racket Busted: Three Arrested in ₹1 Crore Scam Exposed

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Operation Kavach: Cyber Fraud Network Dismantled, Three Arrested

A coordinated law enforcement operation has dismantled a significant interstate cyber fraud network, resulting in the arrest of three individuals suspected of orchestrating a ₹1 crore scam.

The Scam

The operation, dubbed “Operation Kavach,” targeted a gang that allegedly duped numerous victims across Odisha, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu by promising unusually high returns on business investments.

Accused

Ahmed Topan from Tamil Nadu, Abdul Aziz Sheikh from West Bengal, and Sushanta Kumar Parida from Balasore have been taken into custody in connection with the scam.

Modus Operandi

According to investigators, the gang utilized a complex web of fake SIM cards and multiple bank accounts with low or no transaction limits to facilitate their fraudulent activities.

More than 80 SIM cards were recovered from the accused, which were allegedly used to contact victims and promote fake investment plans. The fraudsters also opened bank accounts under the name of a fictitious company called “Speeding Exim,” which was used to transfer funds received from victims into multiple accounts in an attempt to mislead investigators.

Seized Items

A thorough search of the accused yielded 15 ATM cards, 15 SIM cards, six mobile phones, and seven cheque books. The seized mobile phones and SIM cards are currently undergoing forensic analysis to identify other potential members of the racket.

Warning from Cybercrime Expert

“cybercriminals often lure people by offering quick and unusually high investment returns. If any unknown company promises unrealistic profits, it should be treated as suspicious and verified immediately.” – Prof. Triveni Singh

Advice to Public

Law enforcement officials have urged the public to exercise extreme caution when considering business opportunities, particularly those offered by unknown individuals or companies. The use of mule bank accounts and fake SIM cards in cyber fraud cases is on the rise, and investigation agencies are working to track down the entire network through technical surveillance and financial trail analysis.

The ongoing investigation is expected to yield additional arrests.

Precautions

In the meantime, the public is advised to thoroughly verify any business opportunity offered through social media, phone calls, or messages, and to avoid sharing confidential information such as bank details, OTPs, or other sensitive data. By taking these precautions, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to cyber-enabled scams.