Police Crackdown on Cyber Fraud: 1,000 Bank Accounts Under Investigation

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Law Enforcement Launches Extensive Crackdown on Cybercrime Network

In a significant escalation of efforts to combat online fraud, authorities have initiated a large-scale operation to dismantle a cybercrime network in the Aligarh district. The crackdown, which has been ongoing for 45 days, has resulted in the arrest of 24 suspects and the investigation of over 1,000 suspicious bank accounts suspected of being used for money laundering.

A Strategic Shift in Combating Cybercrime

The operation marks a strategic shift in the approach to combating cybercrime, with a focus on disrupting the entire network and blocking illicit financial flows, rather than just arresting individual perpetrators. As part of this effort, police have identified and are investigating over 100 Point of Sale (POS) agents suspected of aiding fraudsters in obtaining bank accounts and mobile SIM cards using forged documents.

Investigation and Verification Drive

The investigation has revealed that cybercriminals have been using fake identities, addresses, and mobile numbers to create fraudulent bank accounts, making detection more challenging. To combat this, authorities have launched a verification drive at the police station level, with legal action being taken against those found to be involved.

Accelerating the Process of Registering FIRs

In addition to the arrests and investigations, authorities have also taken steps to accelerate the process of registering First Information Reports (FIRs), which can now be completed within 30 minutes. A 20-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued to all police station in-charges, outlining guidelines for verifying bank accounts, authenticating documents, and monitoring suspicious activities.

Creating Awareness and Strengthening Cybersecurity Measures

The SOP also emphasizes the importance of creating awareness and strengthening cybersecurity measures to protect vulnerable groups. The comprehensive campaign aims to significantly reduce the incidence of cyber fraud in the district by disrupting the network and financial ecosystem of cybercriminals.

Targeting Suspected Sources of Cyber Fraud

Police officials have identified certain bank branches and ATMs from which fraud money was allegedly withdrawn and have marked several villages as suspected sources of cyber fraud activity. The operation has also targeted Jan Seva Kendra operators in the Akrabad area, who are suspected of facilitating the creation of fraudulent bank accounts and mobile SIM cards.

A Broader Effort to Curb Cybercrime

The crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb the rising incidents of cybercrime in the district, which has seen a significant increase in online fraud cases. Authorities hope that the operation will serve as a deterrent to cybercriminals and provide a safer online environment for citizens.