Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Nov 7: Bihar Police have arrested two men in East Champaran district for allegedly operating a cyber fraud network in contact with Pakistani nationals and facilitating suspicious financial transactions through Indian bank accounts and QR codes.
The arrests were made during simultaneous raids at two rented houses in the Belisarai area around 1.20 am on Saturday, following a tip-off.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Swarn Prabhat said a special police team led by Sadar SDPO-1 Dilip Kumar carried out the operation. Police seized two Android mobile phones and five ATM cards from the accused.
The arrested men have been identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Semmuapur under Dumariyaghat police station limits, and Raju Kushwaha alias Raju Kumar Bhagat (22), a resident of Shyampur Barwa under Sangrampur police station limits. Both were staying in rented accommodation in Belisarai.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused were allegedly in contact with Pakistani nationals and were operating under their instructions. They reportedly received money through QR codes linked to Indian bank accounts and subsequently transferred the funds to other accounts.
During the examination of their mobile phones, investigators found WhatsApp numbers linked to Pakistan, suspicious conversations and financial transaction records indicating their alleged involvement in the network.
The five seized ATM cards included three issued by Federal Bank, one by IDFC First Bank and one by Bank of India. The cards were registered in the names of Raju Kumar and Raju Kumar Bhagat.
Investigators suspect that the bank accounts were being used to receive and withdraw money generated through cyber fraud before transferring it to other accounts.
The seized mobile phones and ATM cards have been sent for further examination. Police are also analysing the bank accounts, transaction records and digital communications to determine the scale of the suspected operation.
The investigation is focused on identifying the Pakistani contacts, tracing the financial transactions, establishing the total amount routed through the accounts and determining whether the network had links across multiple states. Police are also probing the possible involvement of other individuals in the racket.
The raiding team included Sadar DSP-1 Dilip Kumar, Inspector Rajiv Ranjan, Sub-Inspectors K.V. Hanumanta, Santosh Kumar and Satish Kumar, Jamadar Bhim Yadav, female constable Putul Kumari and other police personnel.
Further investigation is underway to identify the alleged masterminds and establish the complete network.