Patna: In a major action against cybercrime, the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) has arrested 13 members of an interstate cyber fraud gang. The arrests were made during a raid at a hotel in Patna. These cybercriminals were running online scams using platforms like Telegram, fake gaming apps, and even Bitcoin investment schemes. People from across the country were being tricked into giving money with false promises of high returns.
The gang’s method was simple but dangerous. They would send online tasks through Telegram or messages, asking people to perform small activities, such as liking videos or giving reviews. After completing a few tasks and earning small rewards, the victims were asked to invest larger amounts in Bitcoin or gaming apps with the promise of bigger profits. Once the money was paid, the scammers would cut off all contact. Some victims were also fooled into taking loans from microfinance companies and handing over the amount to the gang.
The arrested men are from different parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Their names include Kundan Kumar from Araria, Ranjit Paswan from Jehanabad, Aman Kumar from Paliganj, Vikrant Kumar from Nalanda, Pawan Kumar and Sunny Kumar from Gaya, Anurag Verma from Kanpur, Narendra Kumar from Kasganj, Virendra Yadav and Ravi Kishore from Prayagraj, Prahlad Prabhat from Rae Bareli, Rishabh Kumar from Muzaffarpur, and Ankit Kumar. They were caught at Matri Hotel and Banquet Hall on Khajpura Nehru Path, during a joint operation by the Bihar STF, Cyber Police Station, and Shastri Nagar Police Station.
During the raid, police found 15 mobile phones and a car. Several bank account numbers were recovered from their phones. A technical investigation revealed that these accounts were linked to nearly 40 complaints from victims across various states. So far, police estimate that the total amount of fraud committed by the gang is around Rs14 crore 10 lakh. Searches are still going on to find other members of the gang who may be involved.
Police are warning people to stay alert and not fall for online offers that promise quick money. If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is.
