Patna: A major cyber fraud racket allegedly operating in the name of government welfare schemes has been busted in Patna, with police arresting nine people from Mithapur and uncovering a network spread across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The investigation began after police raided a rented flat in Mithapur, under the Jakkanpur police station area. According to investigators, the premises had been furnished like a private company office, with laptops, workstations and other arrangements for employees.
Police said the gang allegedly used the names of several government schemes to target people who had previously failed to receive benefits. Among the schemes allegedly used to lure victims were PM Mudra Loan, Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Vishwakarma and PM Awas Yojana.
How the cyber fraud allegedly worked
According to police, members of the gang contacted potential victims by telephone and claimed they could help them obtain benefits under government schemes.
The targets were reportedly people who had been unable to receive scheme benefits for various reasons. After gaining their confidence, the accused allegedly collected documents, personal information and banking details from the victims.
The information was then allegedly used to facilitate fraudulent transactions and route the money through multiple bank accounts.
Police are also investigating how the gang obtained information about potential beneficiaries of government schemes.
Mithapur flat used as a cyber fraud office
Investigators said the gang had rented a flat in Mithapur and operated it in a manner designed to avoid suspicion.
Six employees were reportedly stationed at the premises and allegedly handled the transfer of fraud proceeds into different bank accounts.
The police raid resulted in the arrest of nine accused persons. Their interrogation has reportedly provided investigators with information about other members of the network and the locations where they may be operating.
Cyber network spread across five states
The investigation has indicated that the gang’s operations were not limited to Bihar. Police said calls were made to potential victims in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as well.
More than two dozen people allegedly linked to the network are still absconding. Police teams are preparing to conduct raids in other states based on information obtained during interrogation.
17 bank accounts frozen, ₹30 crore transactions under scanner
In the past four days, cyber police have frozen 17 bank accounts associated with the investigation.
Five of the frozen accounts reportedly belong to the nine people arrested from the Mithapur flat. Accounts linked to three other accused arrested from Rajiv Nagar, Kankarbagh and Jamui have also been frozen.
Police said their investigation has identified transactions of approximately ₹30 crore through these accounts. Authorities suspect that money obtained through cyber fraud was routed through the accounts.
Police trace the money trail
With the accounts frozen, investigators are now examining the complete transaction trail to identify where the money was transferred and who ultimately received it.
Police are also scrutinising the bank accounts of complainants who reported being cheated. The aim is to establish whether the money taken from victims was deposited into any of the accounts linked to the accused.
The interrogation of the arrested suspects has reportedly revealed the names and locations of several other people allegedly connected to the racket.
Investigators are now working to identify the entire chain—from the source of beneficiary data and the people making the fraudulent calls to the account holders and individuals responsible for moving the money.
Police said further arrests are likely as the investigation expands to other states.
