Guwahati: Police Dismantles Cyber Fraud Racket; Six Arrested in ATM PIN, Student Loan Scams

GUWAHATI: In a significant operation, the Cyber Crimes division of Guwahati Police successfully dismantled a notorious gang of cyber criminals involved in two major scams - coercive ATM PIN theft and student loan forgery. Six individuals have been arrested so far, with three hailing from Guwahati's Basistha area and the other three from Kolkata. The gang targeted gullible commoners by sending deceptive messages with OTPs, coercing them to change their ATM PIN numbers and then using the obtained OTPs to siphon off money from their bank accounts.

Authorities revealed that the gang operated in collaboration with a Kolkata-based network, further complicating the investigation. The Cyber Crimes Cell is actively probing the case to uncover any additional connections and potential accomplices involved in the cyber fraud racket.

During the operation, the police raided a location in Kalyanpur and made noteworthy recoveries, including 58 Airtel SIM cards, 3 Jio SIM cards, 107 Idea SIM cards, 634 Vodafone SIM cards, 12 different sets of mobile phones, two laptops, two memory cards (32 GB and 8 GB), 10 ATM cards, and stamps from various colleges in Bihar, Bangalore, and Assam. Notably, 239 Gpay UPI scanners were also confiscated during the raid. The evidence collected solidified the case against the accused, showcasing their involvement in obtaining loans from online lending platforms using forged documents, with a particular focus on securing student loans through fabricated paperwork.

The fraudsters exploited the availability of SIM cards from various service providers to create virtual and physical bank accounts, enabling them to submit fabricated documents to banks and secure loans fraudulently. This successful operation conducted by the Guwahati city police highlights their commitment to combating cybercrime and safeguarding the financial interests of the public.

The swift action taken by the police in response to reliable intelligence inputs not only disrupted the criminal network but also served as a warning to potential fraudsters operating in the region. It has taken a step towards restoring trust in online lending platforms and financial institutions. The arrests of the perpetrators and the seizure of a wide array of incriminating items contribute to enhancing cybersecurity measures and maintaining public confidence in digital financial transactions.

As the investigation progresses, the Guwahati Police continue their efforts to ensure justice is served and to prevent such fraudulent activities from recurring in the future.

ALSO READ: Assam: Accused of Temple Robberies Detained in Digboi

ALSO WATCH: