On Thursday (11th December), in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, the police launched a massive crackdown on cyber fraud. The police conducted a planned operation in four villages, Devrasaras, Manusaras, Daulatpur and Nagla Tatiya, of the Goverdhan area and took 42 people in custody.
Among these, eight have prior criminal records. The modus operandi of cyber fraudsters in Goverdhan is reported to be similar to that of scamsters in Jharkhand’s Jamtara.
This massive search operation was conducted by 300 police officials under the leadership of 4 DSPs, 4 Circle Officers, and 26 inspectors.
According to Superintendent of police (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat, the police action came as they were receiving frequent complaints of cyber fraud involving phone calls originating from the four villages in the Goverdhan area.
“An operation was planned, and a 300-member police team— led by 4 additional SPs, 4 circle officers and 26 police inspectors— was divided into two groups. The search began at 5 am on Thursday after sealing the entry and exit points of four villages in the Goverdhan area—Devrasaras, Manusaras, Daulatpur and Nagla Tatiya,” SP (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat said.
“In the day-long operation, a total of 42 people were taken into custody, eight of whom have a criminal history. Cyber police teams, along with personnel from local police stations, are continuing the searches, using the necessary equipment to trace the mobile phones and SIM cards being used for cyber frauds,” the officer added.
The police further informed that mobile phones and SIM cards were seized and are being scanned by experts. Details pertaining to the SIM cards and whether fake IDs were used to obtain them are also being probed.
According to the police, the scamsters calling from these villages in the Goverdhan area often asked people to download files and share details about their credit cards and bank accounts.
During the searches, the police confiscated a large quantity of incriminating items, including Aadhaar cards and mobile phones.