Cybercrime Network with Chinese Ties Busted in Jharkhand, Seven Held

Jharkhand’s CID has successfully dismantled a major cybercrime network involved in financial fraud linked to China. The network was actively engaged in investment scams and digital arrest schemes, facilitating illicit financial transactions. Cyber DSP Neha Bala confirmed the breakthrough on Saturday. The investigation, spearheaded by CID DG Anurag Gupta, led to the arrest of seven individuals. The apprehended individuals include Kumar Deepak, Prabhat Kumar, Kumar Saurabh, Shivam Kumar, Anil Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, and Lakhan Chaurasia, hailing from Bihar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, and Gopalganj in Madhya Pradesh, respectively. Authorities seized 12 mobile phones, 11 SIM cards, 14 ATM cards, and details of 60 bank accounts gleaned from WhatsApp and Telegram chats. The cybercrime police station received intelligence on July 4th indicating the presence of a cyber gang at the Olive Garden Hotel in the Jagannathpur area, the gang was arranging mule bank accounts and working with Chinese fraudsters. Acting quickly, the CID arrested seven agents on the spot. These agents were involved in supplying mule bank accounts from various parts of the country. One special agent who was working for Chinese companies such as Moon Pay, Dragon Pay, Super Pay, and Mango Pay India was also apprehended. Significant evidence, including bank account details and digital information, was recovered from the arrested agents’ WhatsApp and Telegram communications. The DSP explained that agents for the Chinese gang were sent a special application (APK file) via Telegram. The agents would then install this application on the SIM cards connected to the bank accounts. Once installed, the app automatically sent OTPs and alerts from the bank to Chinese servers. Chinese criminals then exploited this information to remotely access the accounts and commit fraudulent activities, with 60 mule bank accounts identified in the process. The CID has identified 60 mule bank accounts in total, linked to 68 complaints across India concerning investment scams and digital arrest schemes reported on the NCRP portal. The Jharkhand CID urges citizens to remain vigilant against unknown links, calls, and investment offers and to report any cybercrime incidents immediately to the helpline at 1930.