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Patna: In a major breakthrough against cybercrime, the cyber police in Patna have uncovered a large fraud network operating through illegal call centers. During a coordinated raid, authorities arrested 22 people, including 15 women, who were allegedly involved in duping innocent citizens by offering fake business services and Aadhaar center openings. The gang had been active for over a year and targeted victims across multiple regions using carefully planned phone scams.

According to police officials, the operation was conducted simultaneously at three different locations in the Saguna Mod and Rupaspur areas of Patna. These locations were being used as unauthorized call centers to carry out fraudulent activities. During the raids, several suspects were caught red-handed while making scam calls to potential victims.

How the Gang Operated

Investigators revealed that the gang primarily targeted cyber café operators and small business owners. The accused would first collect and download personal and professional data of potential victims. Using this information, they made convincing phone calls, pretending to represent legitimate business service providers.

The callers offered lucrative opportunities such as opening Business-to-Business (B2B) service centers or Aadhaar enrollment centers. Once they gained the trust of their targets, they demanded registration fees and other charges under the pretext of processing documents and approvals. After collecting the money, the fraudsters would cut off contact, leaving victims with financial losses.

Police said that the group followed a structured approach. The arrested women were mainly assigned the task of calling people and persuading them to invest in the fake schemes. They were reportedly paid a monthly salary ranging between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000. Their role was to lure customers, while other members of the gang handled technical operations and money transfers.

Large Quantity of Equipment Seized

During the raids, cyber police seized a significant amount of electronic equipment and documents believed to be used in the scams. The recovered items included:

• 19 laptops

• 1 desktop computer

• 53 mobile phones

• 12 ATM cards

• Several important documents and data records

Officials stated that these devices contained strong evidence related to cyber fraud activities. The digital data will now be examined to identify additional victims and uncover the full scale of the operation.

Gang Active for Over a Year

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fraud network had been operating continuously for nearly 12 to 18 months. During this period, the gang managed to cheat several individuals by posing as legitimate service providers. Police believe the actual number of victims could be much higher, as many people may not have reported the fraud due to embarrassment or lack of awareness.

Authorities are now focusing on tracking down the remaining absconding members of the gang. Further arrests are expected in the coming days as the investigation progresses.

Police Issue Public Warning

Following the crackdown, cyber police have issued a warning to the public to remain cautious of unsolicited phone calls offering business opportunities, government-related services, or quick profits. Officials emphasized that no government agency authorizes private call centers to recruit Aadhaar operators or business service centers over the phone.

Citizens have been advised to verify any such offers through official government websites or authorized offices before making payments or sharing personal information.

Rising Concern Over Call Center Fraud

This incident highlights the growing threat of organized cybercrime networks operating through illegal call centers. Such groups exploit technology and personal data to deceive people, often targeting small entrepreneurs and job seekers who are looking for opportunities.

Experts say that public awareness is the most effective weapon against such scams. People should avoid sharing sensitive information such as bank details, OTPs, or identity documents with unknown callers. Any suspicious activity should be immediately reported to the cyber crime helpline or local police.

Investigation Continues

The Patna cyber police are now analyzing the seized devices to trace financial transactions and communication records. Officials are confident that the findings will help dismantle similar networks operating in other parts of the state.

With this successful operation, law enforcement agencies have sent a strong message to cyber criminals that illegal call center fraud will not be tolerated. At the same time, citizens are urged to stay alert and informed to protect themselves from becoming the next target of cyber scams.