Latest news with #EconomicOffencesUnit
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Cyberfraud syndicate that use illegal SIM boxes busted
Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, in collaboration with the department of telecommunications (Govt of India), on Wednesday busted a cyberfraud syndicate operating through illegal SIM boxes, used to operate a parallel exchange. The operation led to the seizure of four SIM box devices and arrest of one Mukesh Kumar from Narayanpur village in Bhojpur district. Acting on specific intelligence and technical surveillance, a special investigation team was formed under the additional director general of EOU and deputy inspector general (cybercrime) Sanjay Kumar. The operation was led by cyber DSP Pankaj Kumar. Sanjay Kumar said investigation revealed that the SIM boxes were used to operate a parallel exchange, converting international VOIP calls into local GSM calls illegally. "This facilitated cyberfrauds, originating from international scam hubs in countries like Cambodia and Thailand, target Indian citizens. Preliminary investigations suggest that thousands of fraudulent calls were made daily using these SIM boxes, causing significant revenue loss to the department of telecommunications worth crores of rupees, which is currently being assessed," the DIG said, further revealing that the operation requires a large number of illegal SIM cards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The investigation also uncovered a network where SIM suppliers colluded with telecom service distributors. "Some common service centre operators misled the public by promising benefits from fake govt schemes, collecting biometric data, and using it to obtain SIM cards in bulk through telecom distributors and retailers. These SIM cards were then used for cyberfraud via SIM boxes," he said. The DIG added that the investigation has also identified other suspects and locations, which are currently being raided. The syndicate's exposure has linked it to several cases reported on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal across the country.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Time of India
EOU cracks down on paperleaks, assets and narcotics
Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) filed charge sheets against 21 accused in the Bihar Public Service Commission's 67th Combined Preliminary Examination paper leak case from May 8, 2022. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also, property attachment proceedings were initiated against three of the accused. The investigation unit also made substantial progress in the Central Selection Board (Police Recruitment) examination paper leak case, with charge sheets filed against 18 suspects. In another significant case, 288 individuals were charged in connection with the Bihar Public Service Commission's Teacher Recruitment Examination (TET 3.0) paper leak scandal. One of the notable arrests includes Sanjeev Kumar Singh, also known as Sanjeev Mukhiya or Lutan Mukhiya, who was taken into judicial custody on April 25, 2025. The unit also apprehended 15 individuals involved in the NEET UG 2024 examination paper leak case, said EOU DIG, Manavjit Singh Dhillon on Friday. Dhillon added that in a separate case involving the Bihar State Health Society's Community Health Officer (CHO) online examination fraud, 39 accused were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The mastermind of this operation, Ravi Bhushan (son of Chandra Bhushan Prasad), was among those arrested, with charge sheets filed against 37 individuals. "The EOU has taken charge of investigating 65 out of 74 cases related to police constable recruitment examination fraud across various districts, with 24 cases already concluded. The unit is also handling 88 cases of disproportionate assets against public servants, with charge sheets filed in 38 cases, final reports submitted in 4 cases, and 46 cases still under investigation," the DIG said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dhillon said the unit was particularly successful in recovering assets, with cash seizures amounting to Rs 3,01,75,880 and jewellery worth Rs 6,12,20,505 from various cases. Additionally, 23 cases were registered against public servants suspected of involvement in illegal sand mining, transportation, storage, and corruption. "Bihar Police seized a total of 4105.919kg of marijuana, 78.636kg of hashish, 8.255kg of heroin/smack/brown sugar, 16.476 kg of opium, 1001.95kg of doda, 3,836 injection pieces, 39,809 bottles of codeine-based syrup, and 41,937 tablets in the state from January to June 2025. In this context, 569 cases were registered against 672 accused, of which 577 were arrested and sent to judicial custody till now," Dhillon added.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Time of India
Police step up cyber fight with training, tech upgrades
Patna: In response to growing cyber threats, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, in collaboration with C-DAC Patna, intensified its efforts to tackle cybercrime through technological advancement and capacity building. A comprehensive two-day training programme was conducted from June 25-26, 2025, focusing on enhancing the cyber investigation capabilities of law enforcement personnel. Over the past year, 792 police officers, including Deputy Superintendents, Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors, received specialised cyber-crime training, said Cyber-Crime DIG, Sanjay Kumar on Friday. The DIG said, "In January 2025, Bihar ranked fourth among all states in registering complaints of cyber fraud. In terms of the percentage of blocked amounts compared to the reported amounts of cyber fraud, Bihar was in fifth place. Similarly, in February 2025, Bihar ranked third among all states in registering complaints. In terms of the percentage of blocked amounts compared to the reported amounts of cyber fraud, Bihar was in third place. " Over the past year, a total of 79,240 complaints related to financial fraud were received on the cyber portal, involving fraud cases worth Rs 468.57 crore. Out of this, Rs 90.66 crore were put on hold, and Rs 5.74 crore were returned to the victims' accounts. The DIG added, "The state made remarkable progress in cyber-crime prevention and recovery of stolen funds. In 2025, the cyber cell successfully blocked 11,028 stolen mobile phones and 8,731 IMEI numbers. Under Operation Cyber Prahar, 145 cyber criminals were arrested, demonstrating the department's commitment to maintaining digital security." The cyber cell has been particularly vigilant in monitoring social media platforms, taking action against 366 controversial, misleading, or objectionable posts and fake profiles. The department's proactive approach resulted in significant financial recoveries for cyber fraud victims. As of June 2025, the department processed 38,472 online complaints related to cyber fraud. Of the total reported amount, authorities successfully froze Rs 47.01 crore, representing 21.69% of the reported stolen funds. Additionally, Rs 3.64 crore has been returned to victims this year. The state's 24/7 toll-free helpline (1930) handled over 15.62 lakh calls from cyber-crime victims, providing immediate assistance and guidance. The department also processed 6,788 cyber complaints and provided technical assistance in 82 forensic examinations. "In a significant operation, the cyber-crime unit dismantled an international cyber fraud syndicate operating through illegal SIM boxes and unauthorised SIM cards. Five suspects were arrested in raids conducted across Supaul, Vaishali, and other districts, with substantial recovery of illegal equipment and materials. A case was registered on July 20 at EOU police station in this regard, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects involved in the syndicate," the DIG added.
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bihar govt nominates EOU as nodal agency for ensuring cyber security of all departments
Patna, The Bihar government has nominated the Economic Offences Unit as the nodal agency for ensuring cyber security of all departments and installations. Bihar govt nominates EOU as nodal agency for ensuring cyber security of all departments The security of government departments and installations has emerged as a major challenge because of rising incidents of cybercrimes in the state. "In view of this, the state government has nominated the EOU as the nodal agency for ensuring cyber security of all departments and installations," said a statement issued by the Information and Public Relations Department of the state government. "As part of the exercise, cyber audits will be carried out in all the government departments and installations. The move would make it clear that online activities, including the websites of government departments, online services or transactions will be subjected to cyber-related security standards. The discrepancies or anomalies found during the audit will be removed at the earliest," the statement added. The entire exercise of cyber audit will be carried out with the cooperation from C-DAC , I4C and other agencies. A special strategy is being finalised for carrying out the audit, it added. "Measures will be taken to maintain cyber protocol and also to check cyber hygiene in all the government departments in order to find out where the problem lies and also clear the entire situation, which would help in taking remedial measures," it said. The incidents of cybercrimes have increased significantly in recent times, it said. "Several incidents of cyberattacks have also taken place at various government installations and departments' websites. The websites of Smart city, Dial 112 and public utilities websites also came under cyberattacks, which led to the need for cyber audit," the statement added. "The cyber audit exercise will be carried out in all the government departments and other government installations. Strategic planning is being prepared for carrying out cyber audits. Cyber-related crime incidents have emerged as the biggest challenge. The cyber gangs' nexus has also come to the fore and swift and stern action will be taken against them," the statement added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Bihar EOU busts international cyber fraud gang, kingpin held
PATNA: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police on Monday busted a cyber fraud gang with alleged foreign links. Kingpin Harshit Kumar and five others from Supaul and Vaishali districts were arrested, and multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, and electronic devices used in the scam were seized. The operation led by a DSP rank officer began on Saturday morning and concluded late on Sunday. ADG, EOU, Naiyyar Hasnain Khan said that the gang led by Harshit was in touch with fraudsters operating from several countries, including Vietnam, China, Germany and Cambodia and duped people. The 21-year-old gang's leader had set up altogether eight mobile phone set boxes purportedly procured from China and Vietnam in his house located at Gauspur in Supaul district. He has set up a parallel telephone exchange with the help of these set boxes. 'The VOIP calls were easily converted into local calls by fraudsters to contact gullible people in Indian states,' ADG, EOU, said. The cyber scam centres located in countries such as Thailand and Cambodia converted VOIP calls into local calls to contact the victims in India through various social media platforms. Preliminary investigation revealed that more than 10,000 fraud calls were made per day with the help of these set boxes. The parallel telephone exchange has duped country's telecommunication ministry of huge exchequer. 'We are trying to estimate the loss of revenue to the Government of India by a fake telephone exchange,' ADG, EOU, said.
