Jharkhand police have cracked a major cyber fraud case in Sahibganj district involving the extortion of ₹1.20 crore from a resident under the guise of a digital arrest. The victim, Gautam Das, residing within the jurisdiction of the Barharwa police station, was placed under psychological duress through WhatsApp calls by fraudsters impersonating central law enforcement officials. Prompt action by a Special Investigation Team has led to the apprehension of three key suspects from Durgapur in neighboring West Bengal, uncovering an extensive interstate criminal network.
Fraudsters Impersonated CBI Officers to Fabricate Digital Arrest
The cyber criminals contacted Gautam Das via WhatsApp and introduced themselves as high-ranking officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation. To build pressure, the perpetrators accused him of involvement in fictitious legal violations and claimed he was under immediate digital arrest. Exploiting the psychological fear of severe legal consequences, the impersonators convinced the victim that he needed to clear his name by transferring funds to designated bank accounts. Paralyzed by anxiety, the victim complied with their instructions and transferred a total sum of ₹1.20 crore across multiple transactions.
Police Form Special Investigation Team Following Formal Complaint
Realizing he had been duped of a colossal sum, the victim approached the authorities. A formal complaint was lodged at the Barharwa police station on 31 August 2026 under relevant cyber crime and extortion provisions. Considering the gravity of the financial crime, the Sahibganj Superintendent of Police instructed immediate operational measures. A Special Investigation Team was constituted under the leadership of the Deputy Superintendent of Police cum Nodal Officer of the Cyber Cell. The SIT initiated a detailed technical analysis of bank statements, transaction logs, and digital footprints provided by the technical branch.
Raids in Durgapur Lead to Three Arrests
Forensic electronic tracing enabled the SIT to identify the operational base of the fraudsters in West Bengal. Acting on precise technical intelligence, the police team conducted targeted raids in Durgapur city, arresting two primary operatives identified as Ranjit Bakshi and Asit Mahato. During custodial interrogation, the duo disclosed critical details regarding their operational hierarchy and accomplices. Based on their confessions, police launched a follow-up operation and apprehended the third suspect, Dheeraj Hari. All three suspects were remanded into police custody for further interrogation.
Laundered Funds Traced Across 4,000 Bank Accounts
Financial investigations into the transaction trail revealed a complex money-laundering network. The siphoned amount of ₹1.20 crore was systematically split and routed through more than 4,000 distinct bank accounts to obstruct law enforcement tracking. In response, police authorities have frozen numerous suspicious accounts linked to the primary transactions. Forensic accounting teams are currently mapping out the multi-layered banking channels to trace the ultimate beneficiaries of the fraudulent proceeds.
Interstate Connections Suspected Across Bihar, UP, and Bengal
Investigators suspect that the syndicate operates across several state boundaries. Sahibganj DSP HQ Ravikant Saw confirmed that the SIT is conducting a thorough inquiry using digital and banking evidence. Police suspect the syndicate has operational modules spanning West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Based on inputs gathered from the arrested individuals, law enforcement agencies are working to identify remaining network members, with additional arrests expected in the ongoing crackdown.
