Five Held in Deoghar Over Alleged Cyber Fraud; Phones and SIM Cards Seized

Five youths were arrested in Jharkhand's Deoghar district during a police raid in Dakai forest under Sarath police station limits on September 2 for their alleged involvement in cyber fraud. Police said six mobile phones and six SIM cards were recovered from the accused.

Acting on a tip-off that a group was preparing to carry out cyber fraud from the forested area, a police team conducted a raid under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police Kailash Prasad Mahto.

The preliminary examination of the seized phones and SIM cards allegedly revealed links to cyber fraud activities, police said. Further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the network and identify possible victims.

Fake customer care executives used to lure victims

According to police, the accused allegedly impersonated customer care representatives of popular services and financial platforms, including Flipkart, Amazon, Google Pay, PhonePe and Airtel Payments Bank.

They allegedly contacted potential victims with offers of cashback or assistance with account-related issues and attempted to obtain sensitive information that could subsequently be used for financial fraud.

Police also alleged that the accused distributed APK files while presenting them as documents or applications related to PM-Kisan benefits, electricity bills and RTO challans.

Such APK files can pose a serious cybersecurity risk because, if installed and granted permissions, malicious applications may enable fraudsters to access information or perform unauthorised activities on a victim's device.

Airtel Payments Bank customers allegedly targeted

Investigators said the accused also allegedly used the name of Airtel Payments Bank to deceive customers.

In the alleged modus operandi, customers were told that their cards had been blocked and were offered assistance in reactivating them through the Airtel Thanks app. Police suspect the tactic was intended to persuade victims to disclose sensitive information or follow instructions that could facilitate financial fraud.

Police said the investigation will focus on the seized devices and SIM cards to establish the communication trail and identify other people who may have been involved.

Five arrested

The arrested accused have been identified as Subhash Kumar Das of Budhibagicha under Madhupur police station, Vikas Kumar Das of Nai-Chihutiya under Margomunda police station, Dhananjay Mehra of Nayakharna under Sarath police station, Kundan Kumar of Garhia in Madhupur and Vikram Kumar Das of Jhunaki under Sarath police station.

One accused previously booked in cybercrime cases

Police said Vikram Kumar Das had previously been arrested in connection with cybercrime cases.

According to the police, cybercrime cases were registered against him at the Deoghar Cyber Police Station in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The raid involved personnel from the Deoghar Cyber Police Station and Margomunda police station. Inspector Bishweshwar Kumar of the Cyber Police Station, Assistant Sub-Inspector Virendra Ram of Margomunda police station and armed personnel from both police stations participated in the operation.

The latest arrests highlight the continuing use of impersonation, fake customer-care calls and malicious mobile applications in cyber fraud. Police are now examining the seized devices and SIM cards for evidence that could reveal additional targets, transactions or links to a wider network.