Jharkhand CID Uncovers International Cybercrime Racket Based in Hong Kong and China, Rs. 1.8 Crore Found in Single Account

Ranchi: Jharkhand CID has arrested three individuals linked to a multi-state and international cybercrime network. These arrests stem from a investigation initiated by a formal complaint from a resident of Hazaribagh, who reported a fraud amounting to Rs. 2.88 lakhs. The accused were charged under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 120(B) IPC and Sections 66(B), 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act, highlighting the complexity and severity of their operations.

Modus Operandi of Cyber Frauds
The CID detailed the method employed by the criminals to dupe the victim, starting with a seemingly innocuous part-time job offer sent via WhatsApp. The victim was tasked with reviewing hotel ratings on Google Maps and sharing screenshots. Initially, the scheme appeared legitimate as she received payments for her tasks. However, the operations took a sinister turn when she was instructed to deposit money into various accounts, only to find that the promised returns vanished, resulting in a substantial financial loss. This case underscores the sophisticated tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals.

Coordinated raids by CID together with the Jamshedpur Police

In a coordinated raid, the CID, together with the Jamshedpur police, apprehended the culprits from the Kadma area of Jamshedpur. The operation led to the seizure of numerous mobile devices, SIM cards, fake Aadhaar and PAN cards, and other items linked to fraudulent activities. The investigation also uncovered the use of these forged documents to open bank accounts for dummy firms. One such account at Indusind Bank saw a staggering transaction of Rs. 1,84,30,297 in just one day through 32,819 transactions These accounts were used in the laundering of the illicit gains from their fraudulent schemes. Analysis of the financial transactions and the tracking of IP addresses connected these accounts to complex digital footprints spanning multiple countries including server locations in Hong Kong and China, pointing to the international dimensions of the network.

CID advises the public to be cautious about sharing personal financial information and to avoid engaging in financial transactions based on unsolicited job offers via messaging platforms. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or through the portal at https://www.cybercrime.gov.in, ensuring a proactive approach in the ongoing battle against cybercrime.