Uttarakhand STF Nabs Interstate Cyber Fraudsters in Rs 65 Lakh Heist

The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has made significant headway in dismantling an interstate cyber fraud ring, arresting two individuals hailing from Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, these arrests stem from a sophisticated operation targeting a Dehradun resident, who was allegedly defrauded of a staggering Rs 65 lakh. The STF apprehended Shaukat Hussain Malik and Bilal Ahmed, both from Budgam, following a challenging operation where local pressure attempted to impede law enforcement. Despite these hurdles, the STF secured the accused’s remand, signaling a win against organized cybercrime.

This bust originated from a complaint filed by a 71-year-old Dehradun local. The victim reported being contacted by fraudsters posing as Delhi Police and CBI officials. These scammers leveraged intimidation tactics, including fake documents and a purported non-bailable arrest warrant displayed during a WhatsApp video call, to convince the victim that money laundering activities were being conducted in his name. Under the guise of ‘verifying’ his bank accounts, they coerced him into transferring Rs 65 lakh to various accounts, exposing a network that operates across state lines.

Recovered from the suspects were three mobile phones, multiple ATM and Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and documents detailing suspicious financial transactions. These items are crucial in uncovering the broader cyber fraud network. This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by impersonation scams, particularly those targeting vulnerable individuals by exploiting trust in law enforcement and government agencies.