Cyberfraud cases surge in Bhagalpur, 53 held this year

Bhagalpur: Amid crores of online transactions daily, police say cyberfraud and crime have emerged as a growing daily challenge. Several states, including Bihar, have set up dedicated cyber police stations to deal with the surge in digital offences.Cyber cell DSP and incharge of the cyber police station, Bhagalpur, Kanishk Srivastava, said on Thursday that while the digital landscape has improved access to services, it has also amplified cybercrime. “The expansion of the digital landscape has enabled citizens to access digital services at their fingertips, but at the same time it has also amplified cybercrime incidents, the tackling of which is a big challenge for policemen,” he said.Srivastava said cybercrime incidents rose significantly in the Bhagalpur region in 2025. “So far, 91 FIRs have been registered at the cyber police station in Bhagalpur this year. Twenty-seven cyber fraud cases have been solved and disposed of, and 53 criminals involved in different cybercrimes and frauds have been arrested till Dec 25,” he said.Referring to recent high-value frauds, he said a senior citizen was digitally duped of Rs 1 crore 20 lakh through a so-called digital arrest, while in another case a bank manager was tricked into paying Rs 1 crore 11 lakh through an app on the pretext of investing in share market stocks and IPOs.Srivastava said Rs 1 crore 25 lakh was recovered from cyberfraudsters in recent cases and reimbursed to victims. He added that accused persons were arrested from multiple locations, including Murshidabad in West Bengal and Jodhpur in Rajasthan. “Eleven cyber fraudsters involved in providing loans to gullible women in rural areas were also arrested,” he said.He said timely intervention by cyber police had prevented several crores of rupees from being transferred to fraudsters’ bank accounts. Common offences include fake electricity recharge messages, KYC update frauds, credit card frauds, and circulation of fake apps and links.On prevention, Srivastava said cyber safety awareness programmes are being conducted at various levels. “These programmes focus on identifying and preventing cybercrimes, including phishing, sextortion, online banking frauds, identity theft and blackmail using artificial intelligence,” he said.He added that while the police and govt machinery are working to combat cyberfraud, citizens must remain alert and cooperate with the police in addressing the threat.