11 Arrested in Deoghar Cyber Fraud Crackdown, 12 Mobile Phones and 14 SIM Cards Seized

Police have arrested 11 people suspected of involvement in cyber fraud during raids conducted on October 26 in areas under Sarath police station and Pathardih Outpost (OP). The operation was carried out under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police Kailash Prasad Mahto, following instructions from Superintendent of Police Praveen Pushkar. Police seized 12 mobile phones and 14 SIM cards during the raids.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Sharif Ansari (28), Rinku Ansari (28) and Nur Mohammad Ansari (31), all residents of Mathadangal under Palajori police station; Nitish Kumar (32) of Bhikhodih under Sonaraythari police station; Rahul Kumar (20) of Dudhwajori under Pathardih OP; Niranjan Das (26), Mithun Kumar Das (23) and Suraj Kumar Das (18), all residents of Pathra under Pathraul police station; Rahul Kumar (24) of Thengadih under Pathraul police station; Bablu Kumar (23) of Pichhribad Dumaria; and Mohammad Riyaz (27) of Baranawada, both under Pathardih OP.

Fake Customer Care Calls and Malicious APK Files

According to police, the accused allegedly impersonated customer care executives of digital payment platforms and online services, including Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, Flipkart and Amazon Pay. They reportedly lured victims with promises of cashback offers to deceive them.

Investigators also suspect that the accused circulated Android application package (APK) files disguised as updates related to the PM-Kisan scheme, electricity bills and Regional Transport Office (RTO) challans. Such files can be used to install malicious software and potentially compromise a victim's mobile phone.

Police further alleged that Airtel Payments Bank customers were targeted on the pretext of activating their cards.

Technical Analysis Links Suspects to Complaints in Several States

During the investigation, technical examination of the seized devices reportedly linked mobile numbers and IMEI numbers to cyber fraud complaints registered in several states.

Police also found that two of the arrested suspects had previously been named in cybercrime cases in Deoghar. Mohammad Riyaz was reportedly named in Deoghar Cyber Police Case No. 38/23, while Bablu Kumar was an accused in Case No. 78/20.

Personnel from the Cyber Police Station and the Pathardih, Madhupur and Sarath police stations participated in the operation.

Police are investigating the alleged fraud network and examining the seized devices and SIM cards to establish the full extent of the suspects' activities. The allegations against the arrested individuals remain subject to the outcome of the investigation and judicial proceedings.