Srinagar: In a significant breakthrough against organised cybercrime, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated international fraud network operating out of Srinagar. Seven individuals have been arrested following coordinated raids carried out across the city, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The operation was led by the Counter Intelligence Wing (CIK) of the J&K Police, which had been tracking suspicious online activities linked to covert call centres. Acting on credible intelligence inputs, specialised teams combining technical experts and field officers conducted extensive surveillance and digital analysis over several weeks.
Investigators eventually traced the core of the operation to an industrial hub in Rangreth on the outskirts of Srinagar. A series of swift raids carried out on Wednesday led to the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of a large cache of electronic devices. Among the items recovered were mobile phones, laptops, internet-based calling systems, SIM cards, networking hardware, and digital storage units.
Officials said the evidence collected points to a well-structured and technologically advanced operation. Preliminary findings suggest the accused were part of a larger cybercrime syndicate with links extending beyond the region.
According to investigators, the group specifically targeted victims in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Using advanced communication masking tools, the accused allegedly impersonated legitimate service providers and employed psychological tactics to manipulate unsuspecting individuals.
The fraudsters operated an unregistered call centre using internet-based calling systems that allowed them to generate international virtual numbers and conceal their real locations. Victims were lured through fake online advertisements and phishing campaigns, including fraudulent email platforms and search engine ads.
Once a potential victim clicked on these ads, they were directed to a toll-free number controlled by the group. Callers posing as technical support agents would then convince individuals that their devices or bank accounts had been compromised, pressuring them to share sensitive financial details or make payments.
Authorities revealed that the stolen funds were funneled through multiple bank accounts, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency channels. The money was converted into digital assets such as USDT and further layered to obscure its origin, making detection more difficult. Notably, the entire operation functioned without any physical cash transactions.
Initial estimates suggest that the fraud involved transactions amounting to several crores of rupees.
A case has been registered under various legal provisions, including charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and violations of the Information Technology Act. Officials stated that forensic examination of the seized devices is underway, and efforts are ongoing to identify victims and trace the financial trail.
Further raids are expected as investigators continue to probe the wider network and its national and international connections.
