Jammu, 19 March (H.S.): The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Counter Intelligence Wing (CIK) has busted a highly sophisticated international cyber fraud racket by arresting seven persons here, officials said on Thursday.

The CIK-CID received several technical and credible inputs regarding the operation of “covert call centres” involved in fraudulent online activities targeting both foreign and local nationals.

“The CIK promptly constituted specialised teams comprising technical experts and field operatives and carried out systematic surveillance, digital intelligence gathering and verification across multiple locations, ultimately identifying a key operational hub at the Industrial Area, Rangreth, Srinagar,” they said.

Subsequently, a CIK team conducted a swift and well-coordinated raid in different parts of Srinagar city on Wednesday. During the raid, seven suspects were apprehended on the spot, and a large quantity of digital and communication equipment was seized. The seized devices include 13 mobile phones, nine laptops, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems, SIM cards and networking devices, and digital storage media, officials stated.

The seized material contains substantial incriminating evidence, clearly indicating a highly organised and technologically advanced criminal setup, they added.

According to initial investigations, the accused are part of a larger, well-coordinated cybercrime syndicate with connections extending beyond Jammu and Kashmir, officials stated.

“Part of the network was specifically designed to target victims in countries such as the 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,” officials informed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar