Jharkhand’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) has exposed a cybercrime network with connections to China, leading to the arrest of seven individuals. This network was actively involved in investment scams and digital arrest schemes, facilitating illicit financial transactions in collaboration with Chinese criminals. Cyber DSP Neha Bala revealed the details on Saturday.
The CID team, following directives from CID DG Anurag Gupta, took immediate action, resulting in the arrest of seven members of the gang. The apprehended individuals include Kumar Deepak from Siwan, Bihar; Prabhat Kumar; Kumar Saurabh from Nalanda; Shivam Kumar from Nawada; Anil Kumar and Pradeep Kumar from Patna; and Lakhan Chaurasia from Gopalganj, Madhya Pradesh. Authorities recovered 12 mobile phones, 11 SIM cards, 14 ATM cards, and data from 60 bank accounts through WhatsApp and Telegram chats from the cybercriminals.
DSP Neha Bala stated that on July 4, the cybercrime police station received a tip about an organized cyber gang operating from the Olive Garden Hotel in the Jagannathpur police station area. The gang was involved in establishing mule bank accounts and collaborating with Chinese fraudsters. Acting on this information, the CID swiftly conducted a raid, arresting seven agents. These agents were responsible for providing mule bank accounts from different parts of the country. Additionally, a special agent who worked for Chinese companies like Moon Pay, Dragon Pay, Super Pay, and Mango Pay India was also taken into custody. From the WhatsApp and Telegram chats of the agents associated with the Chinese network, a significant amount of bank account details and digital evidence were obtained.
According to the DSP, agents working for the Chinese gang received a special application (APK file) via Telegram. The agents would then install the application on SIM cards linked to bank accounts. This application would automatically send OTPs and alerts related to banking activity to Chinese servers. The criminals in China used this information to gain remote access to the accounts and carry out fraudulent activities worth crores of rupees, with information from 60 mule bank accounts. The CID has so far identified 60 mule bank accounts, tied to 68 complaints registered across India. These accounts are connected to investment scams and digital arrest-related complaints reported in several states, accessible through the NCRP portal. The Jharkhand CID has urged the public to exercise caution with any unfamiliar links, calls, or investment offers and to promptly report any cybercrimes to the helpline number 1930.