Supaul: In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Patna has arrested a 27-year-old alleged cyber fraudster, Harshit Mishra, from Gauspur village in Parmanandpur Panchayat under Karjain police station limits in Bihar’s Supaul district.
The raid, which began around 2 PM on Saturday and continued until late at night, was led by a team of nearly three dozen officers from EOU Patna, Supaul Police, and Cyber Police. The operation was carried out discreetly, with over a dozen luxury vehicles arriving in the village, and media kept at bay during the entire process.
High-Tech Seizures Point to Sophisticated Fraud Operation
During the raid, investigators recovered several high-end electronic devices, including a multi-SIM installation gadget, hundreds of SIM cards, multiple mobile phones, laptops, biometric authentication devices, and a money-counting machine. A mobile phone and laptop directly linked to a bank account containing ₹7 crore—already frozen by cyber police—were also seized.
Sources revealed that the digital trail from the seized devices provided crucial leads linking Harshit to a large-scale cyber fraud network operating under the guise of legitimate financial activities.
Arrest Follows Interrogation, Suspect Taken to Patna
Following intensive interrogation and completion of necessary paperwork, Harshit was formally arrested and taken to Patna on Sunday for further investigation.
Police sources said Harshit had taken money from his father three years ago by selling ancestral farmland, claiming it was for investing in the stock market. His grandfather, Ghanshyam Mishra, was once the village head, and the family previously owned over 50 bighas of land.
Flashy Lifestyle and Political Affiliations Raised No Suspicions
Locals said Harshit’s return to the village in a Scorpio adorned with a BJP flag and flanked by bouncers gave the impression of success. He was believed to be thriving in share trading, adding to his aura of legitimacy.
Initially affiliated with the BJP, Harshit reportedly joined the JD(U) three months ago and quickly rose through the ranks to become the State Secretary of the party’s Yuva Morcha. He had even requested a government bodyguard—a request that was denied after scrutiny.
Residents now believe that Harshit used his political affiliations and showy lifestyle as a cover to build and operate an elaborate cybercrime racket.
Shock and Silence in the Village
News of Harshit’s arrest has left the quiet village of Gauspur in disbelief. “We noticed his lifestyle had changed, but no one imagined he was involved in fraud worth crores,” said an elderly villager.
Meanwhile, police and EOU officials remain tight-lipped as the investigation continues. Sources suggest that more arrests could follow as the network is unraveled.
