Inter-State Operation Uncovers Fake Website Racket; Police Seize Passbooks, Phones from Bihar-Jharkhand Gang
Published on: September 24, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
Chhattisgarh Police cracked a sophisticated cyber fraud case on September 24, 2025, arresting five individuals from Bihar and Jharkhand for duping Jagdalpur resident Devansh Bajaj of nearly ₹12 lakh through a bogus investment website. The breakthrough came after Bajaj, a local businessman, reported the scam to the Jagdalpur cyber cell, triggering a multi-state probe that exposed a nexus operating fake portals mimicking legitimate trading platforms.
The accused, identified as Ravi Kumar, Amit Singh, and three others, lured victims via social media ads promising high returns on stock investments. Bajaj was tricked into transferring funds in multiple tranches between July and September 2025, only to see his “portfolio” vanish when he attempted withdrawals. A dedicated team from the Chhattisgarh Cyber Crime Unit, in coordination with Bihar and Jharkhand police, traced the digital footprints to a hideout in Patna, leading to the arrests.
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Raids yielded a haul of 7 mobile phones used for phishing, 24 bank passbooks linked to mule accounts, 8 Aadhaar cards obtained fraudulently, and several ATM cards. “This gang targeted over 50 victims across central India, siphoning ₹50 lakh in total. Their modus operandi involved shell companies and VPNs to mask transactions,” revealed Jagdalpur SP Abhishek Meena. The kingpin, Ravi Kumar, a former IT technician, confessed to running similar rackets since 2023, exploiting post-pandemic online trading hype.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s cyber fraud provisions, the accused face up to 10 years in jail. Bajaj may recover partial funds through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. This bust underscores the rising tide of digital scams in Tier-2 cities like Jagdalpur, where awareness lags. Police have issued advisories urging verification of platforms via RBI’s Sachet portal and immediate reporting. As investigations continue, authorities warn of more arrests, signaling a robust push against cyber predators preying on unsuspecting citizens.
