Patna: Police busted a six-member cyber fraud gang in Nalanda on Saturday and arrested all its members for allegedly duping victims through fake tantric services and fraudulent escort-service recruitment schemes. Ten smartphones used in the fraud were seized.The action was part of a special anti-cybercrime drive launched by Nalanda police. Asthawan SHO Satyam Kumar received a tip-off that members of the gang were planning a cyberfraud operation near Chulihari Bridge. A police team rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and arrested four suspects. Based on information gathered during interrogation, raids were later conducted at Ugawan village, leading to the arrest of two more accused.The arrested persons were identified as Bunty Kumar (21), Sonu Kumar (19), Sonelal Paswan (36) and Lucky Kumar (18), all residents of Chulihari, and Deepak Kumar (19) and another Sonu Kumar (20), residents of Ugawan.“The accused operated as an organised cybercrime syndicate and used multiple online methods to trap victims. The gang members, allegedly posed as spiritual practitioners, claimed they could perform ‘vashikaran’ rituals to attract or influence a particular person. Victims were then persuaded to transfer money for rituals and related services,” the SHO said.In another fraud module, the accused allegedly advertised high-paying jobs in escort services on social media platforms. Interested candidates were asked to deposit money under various pretexts, after which the gang would cut off contact.The SHO said the accused relied heavily on internet-based communication and social media platforms to identify and approach potential victims, using cellphones to stay in touch until payments were secured.Police said a technical investigation confirmed that the accused were part of an organised cybercrime network. The seized smartphones are being examined for call records, social media accounts, financial transactions and other digital evidence.
