Major cyber fraud racket busted in Jharsuguda; 12 including 2 minors arrested

Jharsuguda Police on Tuesday busted a major inter-state cyber fraud racket and arrested 12 members of the gang, including two minors. The arrests came after a focused operation launched to dismantle organised digital fraud networks active in the region.

During the crackdown, police seized more than 61 bank passbooks from different banks, 41 ATM cards, 90 mobile phones and a car believed to have been used in the fraud operations. 

Links Spread Across Multiple States

According to the police, the cybercrime network had deep connections extending from Jharsuguda to Jamtara in Jharkhand, as well as parts of Bihar and Rajasthan. These states are known hotspots for cybercriminal clusters, further complicating the investigation. 

Agents positioned in Jharsuguda were reportedly controlling various operational modules of the racket, coordinating activities remotely.

Modus Operandi: Bank Accounts Through Gaming Lure

The gang allegedly trapped unsuspecting individuals by offering lucrative online gaming returns. Using this lure, they persuaded common people to open bank accounts in their names. 

These accounts were then used to funnel and launder fraudulent money, forming the backbone of the illegal financial network.

More Arrests Likely

Jharsuguda SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected as the probe widens. 

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“We have seized 61 bank passbooks, 41 ATM cards, 90 mobile phones. Besides, a car and a scooter have been seized. The 12 accused including 2 minors have been forwarded to the court,” the SP informed.