The fraud network targeted victims primarily in urban centres such as Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior, while the stolen money was swiftly transferred to accounts in states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Cyber officials say the operation also has international linkages, indicating a transnational footprint.
How the fraud worked
Scammers used high-tech tactics such as “digital arrest” calls impersonating law enforcement, SIM swap fraud, and malicious APK files sent via links or messages. Once money was extracted, it was deliberately layered through one to ten successive bank accounts—mirroring classic money-laundering techniques—to erase the transaction trail and shield the masterminds.
Investigators found that funds first landed in over 56,000 accounts, then moved across multiple layers, ultimately dispersing into nearly three lakh accounts. On average, fraudsters made about 5,500 scam calls daily in Madhya Pradesh, with roughly 175 people falling victim each day. Authorities estimate daily losses of around ₹1.75 crore, distributed across more than 800 accounts.
Who was involved
Police say vulnerable villagers and unemployed individuals were exploited as “account holders.” Agents recruited them with small payments—often as little as ₹5,000—to open or rent bank accounts used for illegal transactions. When investigations begin, these account holders are frequently the first to face legal scrutiny, while the real operators remain hidden.
Investigation and response
SP Pranay Nagvanshi of the MP State Cyber Cell said cases are handled through a five-stage process involving cyber cell investigation, coordination with banks, account freezing, and eventual de-freezing after verification. Victims are advised to report fraud immediately through the national cyber helpline 1930 to maximise chances of fund recovery.
Officials warn that nearly four out of every 100 people contacted by scammers are losing money, underscoring the urgent need for public awareness. Experts advise citizens to disconnect unknown calls that provoke fear or greed, avoid clicking suspicious links or QR codes, and keep bank alerts active to detect fraud early.
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