Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Sep: Uttarakhand Police has executed a sweeping seven-day long crackdown against cybercrime networks under ‘Operation Hotspot,’ targeting mule bank accounts, ATM and cheque withdrawal points, suspect SIMs, IMEIs and SIM-POS outlets across the state. Acting on intelligence inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Department of Telecommunications, Reserve Bank of India and other agencies, the Special Task Force, district cyber cells and local police jointly carried out coordinated enforcement between 24 August and 1 September.
During the operation, 820 suspect bank accounts linked to cyber fraud were verified, leading to 159 FIRs. Investigators found that mule accounts were being used to receive, transfer and withdraw proceeds of crime. A total of 1,236 ATM withdrawal locations were checked, resulting in 32 FIRs, while 84 cheque withdrawal points were verified and 37 FIRs registered. In addition, 22 suspect SIM-POS outlets were examined, with 10 FIRs lodged against operators supplying SIMs through fraudulent KYC processes. To disrupt the digital infrastructure of cyber criminals, 644 suspect SIMs and 630 IMEIs were also blocked, while 442 suspicious complaints were verified during the operation.
The operation also exposed organised networks. Shyampur Police in Haridwar busted the ‘Nawada Group’, arresting five accused linked to more than 200 mule accounts. Police recovered 45 ATM cards, 20 passbooks, laptops and mobile phones. Investigations revealed that fraud proceeds from loan scams, online trading and schemes promising to double investments were channelled into mule accounts and withdrawn in cash. In Kotdwar, the police arrested Ashish Richard in connection with a forex trading fraud involving eight bank accounts and suspected proceeds of Rs 1.50 crores, of which Rs 7 lakhs has been frozen. Two persons were also arrested in Haridwar for withdrawing cyber fraud proceeds through ATMs for a commission.
The STF used advanced platforms such as PRATIBIMB, a GIS-based mapping tool, and the Samanvaya Portal to trace interstate linkages. Mapping of 240 previously arrested cyber criminals revealed connections to over 100 other cases across various states. Through CIAR, 303 notices were sent to other states and 247 notices from outside were served in Uttarakhand.
According to the state police headquarters, alongside the enforcement, cyber awareness was also prioritised. On 27 August, a virtual programme reached 1.75 lakh students across 1,100 schools, sensitising them about deepfakes, sextortion, online gaming frauds and the 1930 helpline. Between January and August, awareness drives covered 5,688 institutions, 3,423 camps, 4,810 public outreach activities, 151 street plays and thousands of social media campaigns. Senior citizens were also counselled and identified mule account holders were warned against allowing misuse of their accounts.
The campaign has yielded significant results. Action on 18,749 complaints through the NCRP and helpline 1930 helped hold or save Rs 23.44 crores in suspected fraud proceeds. Uttarakhand has improved its national ranking in cybercrime response, securing fifth and fourth positions in successive PRAGATI reviews. Today, a special drive was launched in Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital, involving 2,000 police personnel, including PAC companies, to carry out targeted field action against suspects. More than 300 suspects have been detained for questioning, with bank accounts, mobile phones and SIM cards under scrutiny.
The police headquarters also asserted that while ‘Operation Hotspot’ has concluded, strict legal action against cyber criminals and continuous awareness programmes will continue across Uttarakhand. The campaign has been one of the most extensive cyber enforcement drives in the state, combining intelligence-led policing with mass awareness. Officials emphasised that the dual strategy of enforcement and education is essential to counter the growing menace of cyber fraud, which increasingly exploits digital and financial infrastructure. The police have reiterated that cybercrime prevention will remain a top priority, with regular monitoring of the hotspots and that the counselling of vulnerable individuals and sustained coordination with national agencies would continue to ensure that offenders and facilitators are brought to justice.
