The Gujarat Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has apprehended a 25-year-old individual from Assam, Rafiqul Alam, who is reportedly involved in 1,090 cybercrimes across India, amounting to a total of Rs 1,071.5 crore. This operation has highlighted the links between cybercriminals in India and organised crime syndicates based in China. The authorities claim that Alam was instrumental in transferring illicit funds through an extensive network of bank accounts and cryptocurrencies.

CID’s Investigation Findings

The CID’s Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCE) reported that it had successfully thwarted ten cases of suspected digital extortion while probing Alam’s activities. Officials emphasised his role as the “mastermind” behind an international conspiracy to launder money. The investigation led the CID cyber cell to Barpeta, Assam, where they detained Alam after observing his residence over a three-day period. During this operation, police seized technical devices allegedly used in the criminal activities.

According to police reports, Alam allegedly moved sums obtained through various cyber frauds into 1,758 bank accounts nationwide. These funds were later converted into cryptocurrencies, which were transmitted to China. The CCE specified that Alam relied on communication platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to coordinate with his associates based in China.

The agency’s findings revealed that Alam would often disseminate financial information—such as user IDs, passwords, and cryptocurrency wallet details—directly to these foreign criminals, significantly facilitating the operations of the cybercrime network.

Details of Cryptocurrency Transactions

Furthermore, the Gujarat CID noted that Alam’s mobile devices were also associated with transactions related to gaming accounts, establishing his extensive involvement in cybercrime activities. These findings illustrate the complexity and scale of the syndicate’s operations, demanding a robust policy response from law enforcement agencies.

Preventive Measures Against Digital Fraud

In a related development, the CCE leveraged technical data from the bank accounts of an elderly resident in Ahmedabad to prevent a potential digital scam affecting ten individuals. The senior citizen had been threatened with negative repercussions related to a fabricated child pornography case unless he paid Rs 20 lakh. He was subsequently counselled by CCE officials.

Another case involved an elderly person from Surat, who faced intimidation from individuals impersonating law enforcement officers. They demanded Rs 60 lakh, and although he initially intended to pay Rs 40 lakh by liquidating his flat, he later resorted to selling his shop for Rs 20 lakh when the first option fell through. The CCE successfully intervened to counsel these victims, avoiding further financial loss.

The Gujarat CID concluded that the arrest of Alam not only exposes a network of cross-border cyber fraud linked to China but also highlights the importance of proactive measures to protect citizens from digital crimes. The agency’s recent endeavours have stopped individuals in Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra from being preyed upon by cybercriminals.

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