In a significant breakthrough, the Cyber Cell of South West District Police Station has arrested Amrul Ansari, a 24-year-old fraudster from Jamtara, Jharkhand, notorious for his involvement in phishing scams. Ansari was apprehended for defrauding victims by impersonating customer care representatives and tricking them into transferring money through phishing links.
The Scam Unfolds
The case came to light on 19th March 2024, when Neelam Gupta, an Anand Niketan, Delhi resident, lodged a complaint. Gupta reported losing approximately Rs. 2 lakh after receiving a suspicious call about a delayed Indian Post parcel. The caller, posing as a customer care representative, instructed her to make a nominal payment of Rs. 3 through a link sent via WhatsApp. Upon entering her bank details, two large transactions totalling Rs. 1,79,000 and Rs. 21,000 were debited from her account.
Investigation and Arrest
The Cyber Cell initiated a detailed investigation, tracing the fraudulent transactions to a Canara Bank account in Mumbai. A technical analysis led the police to Jamtara, Jharkhand, where they discovered multiple SIM cards active on a single device linked to Ansari. Acting on this information, a police team conducted raids in Jamtara, resulting in Ansari’s arrest. During the operation, the police recovered four smartphones equipped with various SIM cards.
Ansari confessed to his involvement in the phishing scam. Further scrutiny revealed that he had a prior cyber fraud case and was linked to two more complaints registered on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Portal.
Addressing Cybercrime in Jharkhand
Jharkhand has been grappling with a high incidence of cybercrime, particularly in regions like Ranchi, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Jamshedpur, and Hazaribagh. From 2019 to July 2023, the state reported 5,350 cybercrime cases, with 967 cases recorded in 2022 alone, making it the second-highest in the country. Jamtara, often referred to as the “phishing capital of India,” accounts for 2.4% of national cybercrimes.
In response to the growing cyber threats, the Jharkhand Police established a Cyber Crime Police Station in 2016 to tackle serious cyber offences. However, challenges persist due to corruption and inadequate infrastructure, hindering the state’s progress and potential.
Call for Action
On May 9, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce in Ranchi, emphasizing the need to redirect the state’s talent involved in cybercrimes towards ethical hacking. She urged the Jharkhand government and fintech companies to engage these individuals in combating cyber fraud. Sitharaman highlighted the potential for financial regulators and the government to harness this talent for more constructive purposes, contributing to national cybersecurity efforts.
The arrest of Amrul Ansari marks a significant step in combating cybercrime emanating from Jamtara. The efforts of the Cyber Cell, combined with calls for systemic changes and better engagement of local talent, underscore the need for a robust and coordinated approach to address the growing menace of cyber fraud in India. The case also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and awareness among citizens to protect themselves from such scams.
