Major Operation Against Cyber Crime in Niyamatpur: 12 Arrested and Huge Equipment Seized
Staff Reporter, Nirbhik Bangla, Asansol:
A well-organized cybercrime syndicate and illegal call center were recently uncovered in Niyamatpur Harijan Para and adjacent areas under the jurisdiction of Kulti Police Station, falling under the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, creating a stir across the industrial belt. This dangerous syndicate was exposed through a massive and coordinated joint operation conducted by officials of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate and the Cyber Crime Police Station, based on specific and confidential intelligence inputs received from the National Cyber Crime Bureau.
According to police sources, simultaneous raid operations began in multiple suspected locations in the Niyamatpur area from Monday morning. Keeping in mind the activities of the criminals and potential resistance, RAF (Rapid Action Force), combat forces, and a large number of armed police personnel were deployed in this operation. During the search, investigating officers even broke the locks of several locked houses to enter inside. Since modern CCTV cameras were installed in every suspicious house in the area, the matter came to the police's attention beforehand, and security was tightened across the entire area accordingly so that no criminal could escape.
Addressing a crucial press conference on Monday evening, Asansol-Durgapur Police ACP (Cyber) Rahul Pandey provided detailed information and stated that a total of 12 people were arrested red-handed during this operation for their direct involvement in cyber fraud and running an illegal call center. Additionally, Rs 3 lakh in cash was recovered from the spot, which is believed to be the initial proceeds of this illegal business.
During the raid, the police seized a huge quantity of state-of-the-art digital equipment and suspicious financial documents. The list of recovered items includes:
- Multiple laptops, computers, and various high-performance electronic devices
- High-speed routers and other complex networking equipment
- Multiple Android phones and iPhones
- Several credit and debit cards from various national and international banks
- A large number of hard disks and pen drives for data storage
- Bank passbooks, checkbooks, and a large number of anonymous and out-of-state SIM cards
- Computer peripherals and other relevant financial documents
ACP (Cyber) Rahul Pandey further stated that the ordinary and poor residents of the houses from where all these computers and laptops were recovered have minimal to no idea about these technical matters. Far from operating them, they do not even know the bare minimum usage of these devices. Investigators are also thoroughly examining why and for what purpose such powerful CCTV cameras were installed in ordinary houses in the area. To find out whether the infamous 'Jamtara Gang' has any direct links behind this syndicate, the detainees are being taken into police custody and continuously interrogated. The police's initial assumption is that a larger criminal network from Jharkhand and other states, besides West Bengal, is active behind this.
Meanwhile, centering around this successful operation, intense political sparring has also begun in political circles. A war of words has broken out between the ruling and opposition parties. Criticizing the past state government, Bharatiya Janata Party's Asansol District General Secretary Keshab Poddar said that in the past, such criminals were given political patronage. However, in the current situation, a somewhat stricter action against crime is being witnessed due to police proactiveness. He clearly stated that cybercriminals or corrupt individuals will not be spared under any circumstances, and no matter how deep the roots of this syndicate go, they must be uprooted completely.
According to police administration sources, a specific case has been initiated after examining all aspects related to this incident. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the sources of financial transactions associated with cyber fraud, digital connectivity, and how far the roots of the international or inter-state network extend. To warn the general public against cyber fraud and to curb crime, police surveillance has been multiplied in the surrounding areas, including Niyamatpur Outpost and Muchipara.
