Patna Police have arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate cyber fraud network after raids uncovered dozens of ATM cards, cheque books, passbooks and mobile phones. Investigators suspect the group used bank accounts opened or operated with fraudulent documentation to receive and withdraw money linked to online scams.
The investigation is examining how the accounts were arranged, how money was moved between different channels and whether the suspects had connections with alleged cybercrime associates in Jharkhand.
According to a report published by The420.in on October 16, 2026, the recoveries include 89 ATM cards, 82 cheque books, 76 passbooks and 47 mobile phones. The allegations remain subject to investigation.
How Police Uncovered the Suspected Network
The operation began after police received a tip-off. A joint team from the Cyber Crime and Security Unit and Patna Cyber Police Station reportedly raided two rented flats on Sheetalanagar Canal Road, within the Agamkuan police station area.
Police arrested nine suspects during the initial operation. The rented premises were allegedly associated with Kuldeep Singh, one of the accused.
Investigators subsequently identified and arrested another suspect, Mohammad Majeed, bringing the total number of arrests to 10.
The recovered materials included banking instruments, SIM cards and identity documents reportedly issued in other people's names. Police are examining whether these items were used to facilitate suspicious financial transactions.
How the Alleged Cyber Fraud Operation Worked
According to the FIR described in the report, the suspects allegedly persuaded individuals to open bank accounts and then collected their banking documents, including ATM cards and passbooks.
Investigators suspect that accounts under the control of the network were used to receive money obtained through cyber fraud. The funds were allegedly withdrawn through ATMs, transferred using UPI and moved through cheque transactions.
Such investigations often focus on identifying the account holders, the people actually controlling the accounts and the movement of funds between recipients. Establishing those connections is essential to determining who may have participated in the alleged offences.
During questioning, Rahul Kumar allegedly told investigators that he was in contact with Zubair, Altafa and other associates based in Jamtara, Jharkhand. Police are reportedly examining these alleged connections to determine whether the activity extended beyond Patna.
Police Recover ATM Cards, Banking Records and Cash
A subsequent search of Rahul Kumar's residence in the Malsalami area reportedly resulted in the recovery of additional electronic devices and banking documents.
The wider investigation produced the following reported recoveries:
Item | Reported quantity |
|---|---|
ATM cards | 89 |
Cheque books | 82 |
Passbooks | 76 |
Mobile phones | 47 |
Aadhaar cards | 17 |
PAN cards | 9 |
Cash | ₹1.86 lakh |
Laptop | 1 |
The number of banking documents recovered has prompted investigators to examine how the associated accounts were opened, who had access to them and whether they received money connected to reported cybercrime complaints.
Possession of multiple banking instruments is not, by itself, proof of a crime. Their relevance will depend on the transaction records and other evidence gathered by investigators.
Investigators Examine How the Money Was Withdrawn
Police reportedly suspect that the network used several channels to access funds deposited into the accounts under investigation.
According to the report, investigators estimated that approximately 60–70% of the money was withdrawn in cash, while another 10–20% was spent through online shopping and other digital transactions. The remaining funds were reportedly accessed through ATM transactions and other channels.
These figures represent the reported investigative assessment and should not be treated as independently verified financial findings.
Tracing the transactions may help investigators establish where the money originated, which accounts received it and whether funds moved through multiple accounts before being withdrawn or spent.
This type of financial tracing can be important in cybercrime cases, particularly when investigators need to connect complaints from different victims with transactions across multiple banks.
CCTV Footage and Cybercrime Complaints Provide Additional Leads
Investigators reportedly examined CCTV footage from ATMs across Patna to identify individuals making withdrawals from accounts under scrutiny.
The footage was compared with other evidence to help identify suspects and assess their alleged involvement in the transactions.
Police also received complaint information through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The report cites 341 complaints associated with Union Bank of India, five linked to Canara Bank and four connected with State Bank of India.
These figures refer to complaints associated with the accounts or leads described in the report; they do not establish that every complaint is directly attributable to the arrested individuals.
Investigators will need to establish the relationship between the complaints, the relevant accounts and the suspects through transaction records and other evidence.
Alleged Fake Aadhaar Address Documents Under Investigation
Mohammad Majeed, described in the report as a former cyber cafe operator and a Customer Service Point operator in Patna, is accused of preparing fraudulent residential certificates and other documents to facilitate changes to Aadhaar addresses.
Police suspect that false address information may have been used to support the opening of bank accounts or the modification of identity records.
According to the allegations, payments of ₹500 were charged for changing an address and ₹300 for registering a mobile number. Investigators are examining these claims and the possible role of identity-document manipulation in the suspected operation.
The findings could help clarify whether the documents were used to establish false identities or misrepresent account holders' residential details.
Who Has Been Arrested?
The report identifies the 10 arrested suspects as Rahul Kumar, Kuldeep Singh, Raju Kumar, Kanhaiya Kumar, Shishupal Singh, Vishnu Kumar, Rahul Halda, Dhanraj Kumar, Shadik Alam and Mohammad Majeed.
Police are investigating their alleged individual roles, their connections with other people and the relationship between the recovered banking materials and suspicious transactions.
The investigation has not, based on the supplied report, established the guilt of every arrested individual. Any criminal responsibility must be determined through evidence and the applicable legal process.
Why the Case Matters for Cybercrime Prevention
The Patna investigation highlights the importance of monitoring suspicious banking activity, protecting identity documents and reporting suspected online fraud promptly.
For individuals, sharing banking credentials, ATM cards or identity documents with unauthorised persons can create serious financial and legal risks. Banks and investigators may also rely on transaction records, complaint reports and digital evidence to trace suspected fraud.
Businesses and financial institutions can strengthen their internal controls through transaction monitoring, identity verification and careful review of unusual account activity. Shunyatax provides financial investigation services that may be relevant to examining suspected financial irregularities and supporting due diligence.
The next stage of the Patna investigation will depend on the analysis of recovered documents, digital evidence, banking transactions and links between the suspected accounts and reported cybercrime complaints.