Hooghly, 18 September (H.S.): The Cyber Crime Police Station under Chandannagar Police Commissionerate has arrested five youths from Bihar in connection with an alleged online lottery-based cyber fraud racket. The arrests were made following a raid at Suryasen Nagar in Dankuni.

According to police, the arrested accused are residents of Nalanda, Gaya and Sheikhpura districts of Bihar. Investigators suspect that the group was operating an online lottery fraud network from Dankuni, targeting people through advertisements on social media platforms.

Police on Friday said the accused allegedly posted online lottery advertisements on Facebook. When people responded to the advertisements, the suspects collected their mobile numbers and other personal details and reportedly created a database of potential victims.

The victims were then allegedly informed that their lottery numbers had won prizes. Fake documents and fabricated information were reportedly used to make the claims appear genuine.

Investigators have also found that artificial intelligence was allegedly used to create fake information and documents. When victims contacted the fraudsters to enquire about receiving their prize money, they were allegedly asked to pay various charges. The suspects reportedly cited GST, taxes or other reasons to demand additional payments.

According to the preliminary investigation, money collected through the alleged fraud was transferred to different bank accounts in Bihar. Police have reportedly traced around Rs 4.36 lakh in alleged fraud carried out from Dankuni.

During the raid, police recovered 20 mobile phones, one laptop, 22 SIM cards, 23 debit cards and one passbook. Several allegedly fake documents and other materials created with the assistance of artificial intelligence were also recovered.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detective Department) Rupantar Sengupta said that the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate is conducting special drives in areas identified as cybercrime hotspots. Investigations are being initiated after complaints are received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).

With the arrest of the five suspects from Dankuni, the total number of people arrested in connection with the investigation has reportedly reached 20. Police are now examining the seized electronic devices, SIM cards and financial records to trace the wider network and identify other persons allegedly involved in the racket.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey