Srinagar: A highly sophisticated international cyber fraud racket operating from Srinagar has been busted by the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of CID, with seven suspects arrested and a large cache of digital equipment seized during coordinated raids across the city.
According to Police, the CIK-CID received credible technical inputs about covert call centres engaged in fraudulent online activities targeting both foreign nationals and locals.
Acting promptly, CIK constituted specialized teams comprising technical experts and field operatives to conduct surveillance and gather digital intelligence. Investigations led to the identification of a key operational hub in the Industrial Area of Rangreth, Srinagar, police said
During the raids, seven suspects were apprehended on the spot. Authorities seized 13 mobile phones, nine laptops, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems, SIM cards, networking devices and digital storage media. Among the seized items were multiple high-end smartphones, including iPhones, a Samsung Galaxy handset, an iPad, and laptops of Dell, HP, and Apple MacBook brands.
Police said preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused were part of a well-organized cybercrime syndicate with linkages extending beyond Jammu and Kashmir.
“Part of the network was specifically designed to: target victims in countries such as USA, UK, and Canada, Operate through international communication masking technologies, use psychological manipulation and impersonation tactics and launder money through modern digital and cryptocurrency channels,” police said.
Officials said the accused had set up an unregistered call centre using VoIP systems to generate international virtual numbers and conceal their real location through server routing and spoofing techniques. Victims were lured through fake Yahoo Mail websites and Google advertisements. Once individuals clicked on these ads, they were directed to toll-free numbers operated by the suspects.
Posing as legitimate service providers, the accused deceived victims into sharing sensitive banking details or making payments under the pretext of resolving technical issues or preventing penalties. The defrauded money was routed through banking channels, mule accounts, digital wallets, and later converted into cryptocurrencies such as USDT to evade detection.
Officials said the transactions involved are estimated to run into several crores, with no cash component, indicating a fully digital operation.
Police said an FIR is being registered under relevant sections of law, including cheating, criminal conspiracy, and provisions of the Information Technology Act.
“Further investigations, including forensic analysis of seized devices and follow-up raids, are underway to trace the wider network and identify more suspects and victims,” Police said
