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Chandauli police have arrested five people for allegedly operating an international cyber-fraud network from Mughalsarai in Uttar Pradesh that targeted Japanese citizens through fake
technical-support calls.
The operation was uncovered at a building in the Kailashpuri area, where the accused allegedly posed as technical-support representatives and contacted foreign nationals, particularly elderly people in Japan.
According to police, the suspects used Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) software to make the calls appear as though they originated from Japan. They allegedly persuaded victims to visit a website and enter a six-digit PIN, which was then used to gain remote access to their computers.
Once access was obtained, the accused allegedly accessed information linked to victims online banking accounts and transferred money without authorisation. Police also found that banking- related information was allegedly shared through WhatsApp groups using virtual numbers.
Investigators said the group used remote-access software and had equipment associated with the alleged call-centre operation. Police recovered 19 desktop computers, three laptops, six mobile phones and network routers, along with forged Aadhaar cards, during the raid.
Preliminary analysis of the seized systems also revealed information linked to around 100 Japanese mobile numbers, along with banking-related details, according to investigators.
Around Rs 9 lakh in two bank accounts belonging to one of the accused has been frozen.
Police identified the arrested suspects as Raunak Singh, 32, from Nalanda; Roshan Kumar, 21; Aman Kumar, 23; and Vikas Vaibhav, 25, from Gaya; and Ankit Kumar, 25, from Nawada.
Police said the group had allegedly learned Japanese to communicate with its intended victims. Investigators are continuing to examine the seized digital devices and financial records.
The alleged main handler of the operation fled before the police raid, and efforts are underway to locate him. Police also said the investigation has identified links involving mule bank accounts and alleged hawala transactions used to move the proceeds of the fraud.
The case highlights how cyber-fraud operations can use remote-access tools, VoIP services and social engineering to target victims across national borders.
The operation was uncovered at a building in the Kailashpuri area, where the accused allegedly posed as technical-support representatives and contacted foreign nationals, particularly elderly people in Japan.
According to police, the suspects used Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) software to make the calls appear as though they originated from Japan. They allegedly persuaded victims to visit a website and enter a six-digit PIN, which was then used to gain remote access to their computers.
Once access was obtained, the accused allegedly accessed information linked to victims online banking accounts and transferred money without authorisation. Police also found that banking- related information was allegedly shared through WhatsApp groups using virtual numbers.
Investigators said the group used remote-access software and had equipment associated with the alleged call-centre operation. Police recovered 19 desktop computers, three laptops, six mobile phones and network routers, along with forged Aadhaar cards, during the raid.
Preliminary analysis of the seized systems also revealed information linked to around 100 Japanese mobile numbers, along with banking-related details, according to investigators.
Around Rs 9 lakh in two bank accounts belonging to one of the accused has been frozen.
Police identified the arrested suspects as Raunak Singh, 32, from Nalanda; Roshan Kumar, 21; Aman Kumar, 23; and Vikas Vaibhav, 25, from Gaya; and Ankit Kumar, 25, from Nawada.
Police said the group had allegedly learned Japanese to communicate with its intended victims. Investigators are continuing to examine the seized digital devices and financial records.
The alleged main handler of the operation fled before the police raid, and efforts are underway to locate him. Police also said the investigation has identified links involving mule bank accounts and alleged hawala transactions used to move the proceeds of the fraud.
The case highlights how cyber-fraud operations can use remote-access tools, VoIP services and social engineering to target victims across national borders.
