MORIGAON: In a significant operation against cybercrime, police in Assam’s Morigaon district have arrested 11 individuals accused of orchestrating financial fraud using fake documents.
The suspects allegedly employed counterfeit SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other falsified credentials to secure loans through online platforms, according to an official statement on January 3.
Morigaon Additional Superintendent of Police Samiran Bayasya revealed that the individuals were part of a larger syndicate specialising in cyber financial crimes.
The group reportedly used these forged documents to defraud various financial institutions in a scam estimated to be worth Rs. 20 crore.
Investigators believe the operation was conducted primarily through online platforms, demonstrating a high level of coordination and planning.
Among those arrested are individuals from diverse backgrounds, including a school teacher, two cybercriminals who were released from jail just four months ago, and a goat trader.
This unexpected mix of professions illustrates the reach and complexity of the network involved in the fraudulent activities.
During the arrests, police seized a large cache of forged documents and items, including SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and bank passbooks.
These materials are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations.
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The crackdown was initiated after financial institutions reported irregularities in loan disbursements.
Complaints highlighted loans being approved based on counterfeit documentation, prompting law enforcement to act swiftly.
This operation is the latest in Morigaon police’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime in the region.
In the previous year alone, the district police arrested 226 individuals connected to various cybercrime offenses.
These arrests underscore the growing threat posed by digital financial fraud and the need for enhanced vigilance in the face of increasingly sophisticated schemes.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to dismantling such networks and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice, as they continue to address the challenges posed by cybercriminal activities.
