In a major breakthrough, the Surat Cyber Police have successfully busted a cybercrime gang operating across multiple cities in India. Three members of the gang have been arrested, and authorities have seized a staggering 281 bank accounts involved in the fraudulent activities. The funds from these accounts were being transferred to Dubai, highlighting the international reach of the scam.
Speaking about the investigation, Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot confirmed that in addition to the 281 bank accounts, police also seized several passbooks, debit cards, and laptops. These items are believed to be part of a sophisticated cybercrime network. 210 FIRs have already been filed against the gang members across various cities in the country, underscoring the scale of their operations.
The investigation revealed that most of the gang members were elusive, with many refusing to reveal their full names. Police sketches were created based on the information gathered during the probe, which ultimately led to the identification of two suspects working from Dubai. These suspects, whose passports were found in the investigation, were linked to the fraudulent activities orchestrated from Dubai. They were reportedly involved in digitally arresting victims by intimidating them with threats of legal action and demanding money to resolve the alleged issues.
The cybercrime gang operated by exploiting digital technologies to create a false sense of urgency among victims, leading them to transfer funds to various accounts controlled by the criminals. The digital arrest tactic, in which victims are threatened with arrest or legal consequences, is a method that has been increasingly used by cybercriminals to extort money.
Earlier, on October 17, 2024, the Gujarat Police had raided the Safia Manzil building in Surat, leading to the arrest of Maqbool, the owner of the building, along with his two sons, Kasif (32) and Maz (25). The family members were allegedly involved in cybercrime activities and are believed to have been part of the larger network that was facilitating the digital fraud operations.
This case is part of a broader effort by Indian authorities to combat the rising wave of cybercrime and digital fraud targeting individuals across the country. The police are continuing their investigation into the links between the Dubai-based gang and other domestic accomplices.
