Operation Countdown: Eight Cyber Fraudsters Nabbed in Deeg for Antique Coin Scam

Deeg, Bharatpur. In a significant crackdown on digital crime, the Deeg police have successfully dismantled an organized cyber fraud ring operating under the banner of the department's ongoing Operation Countdown. Acting on credible intelligence, authorities apprehended eight individuals caught in the act while orchestrating scams from a concealed location near the Sonokhar industrial area.

The suspects had established a makeshift base behind dense acacia trees in a vacant plot, believing their remote location would shield them from law enforcement. However, a team led by Station House Officer Vijay Singh conducted a swift raid, surrounding the area and preventing the group from escaping. During the operation, police seized eight Android smartphones, twenty SIM cards—including several identified as fraudulent—and a Bolero vehicle used by the gang.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the syndicate specialized in luring victims through social media platforms with promises of lucrative deals involving rare Indian currency and antique coins. Once a target expressed interest, the fraudsters would demand registration and processing fees, which were funneled into fake bank accounts. Additionally, the group was found to be involved in the illicit distribution of unregistered SIM cards to facilitate further criminal activities.

The arrested individuals, all residents of the Jurhara police station area, have been identified as Mohammad Ashfaq, Waseem Khan, Dilshad, Jilshad, Risal, Abdul Latif, Aijaz Hussain, and Shakir Hussain. The ages of the suspects range from 19 to 40, indicating a coordinated effort across different demographics within the local community.

Following the arrests, the police registered a comprehensive case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Authorities are now conducting a forensic analysis of the seized mobile data and bank records to trace the full extent of the network's reach and identify potential victims across other states. This operation marks a major victory for local law enforcement in their efforts to curb the rising tide of digital financial crimes in the region.