India's Coordinated War on Cybercrime: Major Multi-State Operations Net 170+ Arrests and Millions in Recoveries

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17 Sep 2025 — 9 min read

Twin mega-operations by Hyderabad and Chandigarh police demonstrate unprecedented scale of inter-state coordination in combating India's cybercrime epidemic

In a powerful demonstration of India's evolving approach to cybercrime enforcement, two major police operations conducted simultaneously across multiple states in 2025 have resulted in over 170 arrests and significant financial recoveries. The coordinated crackdowns by Hyderabad and Chandigarh police forces represent a new era of inter-state collaboration in combating the nation's escalating cyber fraud crisis.

Two Major Operations, One Strategic Approach

Hyderabad Operation: August 2025 - 61 Arrests Across 14 States

Hyderabad's cybercrime wing executed a month-long operation in August that resulted in the arrest of 61 individuals across 14 states and the recovery of over ₹1 crore for fraud victims. Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of arrests (20), followed by Gujarat (18), Karnataka (16), and both Maharashtra and Delhi (13 each).

Hyderabad Operation Statistics:

61 arrests across 14 states
₹1,01,39,338 refunded to victims
338 NCRP complaints processed
233 local FIRs and 90 Zonal Cyber Cell FIRs registered

Chandigarh Operation: January-August 2025 - 109 Arrests Across 10 States

Simultaneously, Chandigarh's Cyber Crime Cell conducted an eight-month operation spanning 10 states, executing 56 raids that resulted in 109 arrests. Rajasthan topped the list with 36 arrests, followed by Uttar Pradesh (23), Haryana (12), and Punjab (11).

Chandigarh Operation Statistics:

109 arrests across 10 states via 56 raids
₹2.91 crore frozen in fraudulent transactions
170 mobile phones, 5 laptops, 6 SIM boxes seized
Operations in Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Delhi NCR, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Bihar

The Scope of Coordinated Crime Networks

Both operations revealed the interconnected nature of modern cybercrime, where criminal modules in different states collaborate to execute large-scale scams. The investigations uncovered sophisticated networks involving both domestic and international operatives.

International Connections Exposed

The Chandigarh investigation revealed particularly concerning international linkages, exposing a cyber syndicate operating from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, and Myanmar that was running "digital arrest" scams in India by impersonating police officers through IVR calls. This discovery highlights how cybercrime has evolved into a globalized industry with operations spanning multiple countries.

The Hyderabad operation similarly uncovered intricate networks involving both Indian and international operatives, demonstrating the truly global nature of modern cybercrime operations.

Diverse Fraud Categories Targeted

Hyderabad Operation Breakdown:

Trading frauds: 13 accused
Investment frauds: 12 accused
Social media offenses: 11 accused
Insurance fraud: 8 accused
Digital arrest scams: 3 accused
Unauthorized transactions: 3 accused
Impersonation and loan fraud: 2 each
OTP-related frauds: 2 accused

Financial Recovery by Category (Hyderabad):

Investment frauds: ₹52.13 lakh (51% of total)
Trading frauds: ₹16.23 lakh
Loan frauds: ₹15.79 lakh
OTP-related frauds: ₹8.86 lakh

Sophisticated Criminal Infrastructure

Mule Account Networks

Both operations revealed the critical role of "mule bank accounts" in facilitating cybercrime. The Chandigarh investigation found local residents acting as conduits, allowing their bank accounts to be misused by fraudsters for transferring illicit money in exchange for commissions.

Evidence seized across both operations:

220+ mobile phones (50 in Hyderabad, 170+ in Chandigarh)
56+ ATM/debit cards (51 in Hyderabad, 5+ in Chandigarh)
12+ laptops (7 in Hyderabad, 5+ in Chandigarh)
82+ SIM cards (82 in Hyderabad, plus 6 SIM boxes in Chandigarh)
Multiple shell company stamps and fake documents

Technology-Enabled Deception

The operations revealed how criminals employ sophisticated technology:

VoIP calls and VPNs to mask identities
Spoofed phone numbers for legitimacy
Fake or temporary addresses for SIM card procurement
Point of Sale (POS) fraud SIM cards to bypass banking security
Rotational operation shifts to avoid detection

The Digital Arrest Scam Epidemic

Both operations highlighted the alarming rise of "digital arrest" scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money from victims. According to government data, digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes almost tripled between 2022 and 2024, with defrauded amounts increasing by 21 times during the period.

Notable Victim Cases

From Hyderabad Operation:

34-year-old woman from Tarnaka: Lost over ₹1 crore through fraudulent trading app operated via Instagram and Telegram (January-July 2025)
73-year-old Hyderabad resident: Duped of ₹22.5 lakh through fake investment platform

From Chandigarh Operation:

Kanav Khanna (Sector 21-A): Lost over ₹1.08 crore in fake investment scheme via WhatsApp group impersonating global investment firm
Multiple victims across 10 states with combined losses requiring ₹2.91 crore to be frozen

Operational Challenges and Innovations

Geographic and Infrastructure Challenges

The Chandigarh operation highlighted significant operational challenges:

Rural operations: Many gangs operate from villages with poor internet infrastructure
Jurisdictional coordination: Each raid requires legal sanction and local police support
Mobile criminal networks: Gangs use rotational shifts and frequently move equipment
Fake identity documentation: Criminals use temporary addresses and false ID proofs

Technological Solutions

Both operations leveraged advanced investigative tools:

Pratibimb module of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) for mapping criminal locations
Technical intelligence and digital footprint analysis
Inter-state coordination through government portals
Real-time financial transaction monitoring

The Broader National Context

These operations occur against the backdrop of a national cybercrime crisis. India is projected to lose Rs 20,000 crore to cybercrime in 2025, representing an alarming 76.5% increase from 2024. In just the first two months of 2025, 17,718 incidents of digital arrest scams were reported, recording losses of INR 210.21 crore.

Government Response Framework

The success of these operations demonstrates the effectiveness of India's evolving cybercrime response framework:

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) Initiatives:

Seven joint cyber coordination teams established to enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies
Proactive identification and blocking of over 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used for digital arrest
Suspect registry launched in collaboration with banks, sharing over 8 lakh suspect records and 20+ lakh mule accounts
Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting System for immediate fraud reporting

Technological Countermeasures:

Over 7.81 lakh SIM cards and 2,08,469 IMEIs blocked by February 28, 2025
Advanced digital forensics capabilities
Real-time transaction monitoring systems
Multi-state coordination platforms

Law Enforcement Evolution

Zonal Cyber Cells and Specialized Units

Hyderabad's approach includes establishing Zonal Cyber Cells across all seven zones with 61 specially trained personnel to provide swift, localized responses to cybercrime threats. This model is being replicated across other major cities.

Inter-State Coordination Success

The geographic distribution of arrests demonstrates effective coordination:

Combined State-wise Arrests:

Tamil Nadu: 20 (Hyderabad operation)
Rajasthan: 36 (Chandigarh operation)
Uttar Pradesh: 23 (Chandigarh) + 2 (Hyderabad) = 25 total
Gujarat: 18 (Hyderabad operation)
Karnataka: 16 (Hyderabad operation)
Maharashtra: 13 (Hyderabad operation)
Delhi: 13 (Hyderabad operation)
Haryana: 12 (Chandigarh operation)
Punjab: 11 (Chandigarh operation)

Modus Operandi: How Modern Networks Operate

Both operations revealed extensive use of social media platforms:

Instagram and Telegram for trading app distribution
WhatsApp groups impersonating investment firms
Facebook for fake investment opportunities
YouTube for distributing fraudulent investment apps

Banking System Vulnerabilities

Investigations revealed systematic exploitation of the banking system:

Shell company accounts for money laundering
Compromised bank officials facilitating fraudulent activities
Multiple mule accounts for fund dispersion
Point-of-sale device fraud for transaction manipulation

The operations uncovered sophisticated psychological manipulation:

Authority impersonation (police, tax officials, government agencies)
Panic induction through threats of arrest or legal action
Trust building through initial small returns on investments
Document forgery using fake government letterheads and seals

Financial Recovery and Victim Support

Successful Fund Recovery

The combined operations achieved significant financial recovery:

Hyderabad: ₹1.01 crore directly refunded to victims
Chandigarh: ₹2.91 crore frozen in fraudulent accounts
Total impact: Over ₹3.9 crore in victim protection

Recovery Methodology

Both operations demonstrated effective fund recovery strategies:

Rapid response teams for immediate transaction freezing
Bank coordination for account monitoring
Legal frameworks for asset seizure
Victim support systems for claim processing

Systemic Challenges and Solutions

The rise of cybercrime scams in India is driven partly by society's tendency to shame victims, making it harder for them to come forward. Both operations emphasized the need to change this narrative and encourage victim reporting.

Technological Arms Race

The investigations revealed an ongoing technological arms race between criminals and law enforcement:

Criminal innovations: VPNs, spoofed numbers, fake apps, cryptocurrency laundering
Law enforcement responses: Digital forensics, real-time monitoring, AI-powered detection
International cooperation: Cross-border investigation protocols

Capacity Building Needs

Both operations highlighted the need for:

Specialized training for cybercrime investigators
Advanced technical infrastructure in rural areas
Streamlined legal processes for cross-jurisdictional cases
Public awareness campaigns for prevention

Preventive Measures and Public Awareness

Official Recommendations

Both police forces emphasized key protective measures:

Verification Protocols: Always verify the authenticity of government officials
Investment Skepticism: Be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities on social media
Communication Awareness: Understand that legitimate investigations are never conducted entirely over phone/video
Immediate Reporting: Report suspicious activities through 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in

Red Flags to Watch

Citizens should be alert to:

Unsolicited investment opportunities with guaranteed high returns
Urgent payment demands from supposed government officials
Requests for remote access to devices or accounts
Pressure tactics preventing consultation with family/friends
Requests to download unknown APK files or software

International Cooperation Framework

Emerging Partnerships

A memorandum of understanding for collaboration in cybercrime investigation was signed by the United States and India on January 17, 2025, demonstrating growing international cooperation in combating cybercrime.

Cross-Border Challenges

The operations revealed the need for enhanced international cooperation to address:

Overseas criminal operations (Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, Myanmar)
Digital evidence sharing across jurisdictions
Extradition processes for international cybercriminals
Real-time intelligence sharing between countries

Looking Forward: Strategic Implications

Scalability and Sustainability

These operations provide a blueprint for scaling cybercrime enforcement, but success will require:

Sustained funding for specialized units
Continuous training for evolving threats
Technology upgrades to match criminal innovation
Political will for long-term commitment

Prevention vs. Enforcement

While these operations demonstrate enforcement success, prevention remains critical:

Public education campaigns to reduce victim susceptibility
Financial system hardening to prevent exploitation
Technology platform accountability for fraud prevention
International cooperation to disrupt overseas operations

Measuring Success

The true measure of these operations will be:

Reduced cybercrime rates in targeted areas
Increased victim reporting due to successful recoveries
Deterrent effect on potential criminals
Improved public confidence in digital transactions

Conclusion: A New Era of Cybercrime Combat

The simultaneous success of the Hyderabad and Chandigarh operations marks a turning point in India's fight against cybercrime. With a combined 170+ arrests, nearly ₹4 crore in financial recovery and protection, and the disruption of international criminal networks, these operations demonstrate that coordinated law enforcement action can effectively combat even the most sophisticated cybercrime syndicates.

However, these successes occur against the backdrop of an escalating threat landscape. With projections indicating cybercrime losses could reach Rs 20,000 crore in 2025—a 76.5% increase from 2024—operations of this scale and sophistication will need to become routine rather than exceptional.

The key lessons from these operations include:

Multi-state coordination works: Both operations proved that criminal networks spanning multiple states can be effectively dismantled through coordinated action
Technology is crucial: Advanced digital forensics and real-time monitoring capabilities are essential for modern cybercrime investigation
International cooperation is vital: The discovery of overseas criminal operations highlights the need for enhanced cross-border law enforcement partnerships
Prevention and enforcement must work together: While arrests and recoveries are important, preventing crimes through awareness and system hardening is equally critical

As India's digital economy continues to expand, the need for robust cybersecurity measures, enhanced law enforcement capabilities, and comprehensive public awareness campaigns becomes increasingly critical. The Hyderabad and Chandigarh operations provide a proven model for how law enforcement can adapt to meet these challenges, but success will require sustained effort, adequate resources, and continued innovation to stay ahead of an increasingly sophisticated criminal ecosystem.

The battle against cybercrime is far from over, but these operations prove that with proper coordination, technology, and determination, law enforcement can protect citizens and hold criminals accountable—even across state and international boundaries.

Citizens experiencing cybercrime should immediately report incidents via the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in to enable swift law enforcement response and maximize chances of fund recovery. Remember: Legitimate government agencies never conduct investigations entirely over phone or video calls, and never demand immediate payments to avoid arrest.