India's Triple-Front War on Cybercrime: Nationwide Operations Net 180+ Arrests in Coordinated Crackdown

Breached Company

17 Sep 2025 — 10 min read

Three simultaneous major police operations across multiple states demonstrate India's most comprehensive cybercrime enforcement effort, exposing the true scale of the national cyber fraud epidemic

In an unprecedented demonstration of nationwide coordination against cybercrime, three major police operations conducted simultaneously across India in 2025 have resulted in over 180 arrests and significant financial recoveries. The coordinated crackdowns by Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Nuh police forces represent the most comprehensive multi-state cybercrime enforcement effort in Indian history, revealing both the alarming scale of the nation's cyber fraud crisis and the evolving sophistication of law enforcement response.

Three Distinct Operations, One National Crisis

Operation 1: Hyderabad - August 2025

61 arrests across 14 states, ₹1+ crore recovered for victims

Hyderabad's cybercrime wing executed a month-long operation targeting trading frauds (13 arrests), investment frauds (12 arrests), and social media offenses (11 arrests). The operation covered Tamil Nadu (20 arrests), Gujarat (18), Karnataka (16), Maharashtra and Delhi (13 each).

Operation 2: Chandigarh - January-August 2025

109 arrests across 10 states via 56 raids, ₹2.91 crore frozen

Chandigarh's eight-month operation spanned Gujarat, Rajasthan (36 arrests), Uttar Pradesh (23), Maharashtra, Punjab (11), West Bengal, Delhi NCR, Haryana (12), Jharkhand, and Bihar, uncovering international criminal networks operating from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, and Myanmar.

Operation 3: Nuh (Haryana) - September 2025

8 arrests in latest action, part of ongoing crackdown in India's "New Jamtara"

Nuh police arrested eight cybercriminals in three separate cases involving sextortion, fake account money transfers, and wanted criminals. This operation is part of a larger ongoing effort in Nuh district, which has emerged as India's "New Jamtara" - a reference to the cybercrime hub in Jharkhand.

The Nuh Factor: India's Emerging Cybercrime Capital

A Notorious Reputation

Nuh district has gained notoriety as a hub of organized cybercrime activities, with recent raids revealing that cybercriminals have defrauded around 28,000 people to the tune of more than Rs 100 crore from all states and Union Territories, with 1,346 FIRs registered against these cyber fraudsters across the country.

The district has earned the notorious designation as "New Jamtara," becoming a major cybercrime hub where 14 villages have been identified as hotspots: Khedla, Luhinga Khurd, Luhinga Kalan, Gokalpur, Godhola, Aminabad, Mahu, Gulalta, Jaimat, Jakhopur, Nai, Tirwara, Mamlika, and Papda.

Scale of Historical Operations in Nuh

Previous Major Crackdowns:

April 2023: 102 police teams with 4,000-5,000 personnel raided 14 villages, arresting 125 cybercriminals
April 2024: 42 arrests in two-day operation, with 50 cellphones, 90+ SIM cards, and fake Aadhaar cards seized
March 2025: 15 arrests with 13 mobile phones and 24 fake SIM cards recovered
September 2025: Current operation with 8 arrests

Recent Operation Details

The latest Nuh operation involved three distinct cases:

Sextortion Case: Three youths arrested near Shikarawa Canal bridge for using fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts to create objectionable videos and extort money
Fake Account Transfer: Three arrested for money transfer using fraudulent accounts
Wanted Criminals: Two cyber criminals apprehended who were already wanted in registered cases

Combined National Impact: The Numbers Tell the Story

Total Arrests Across All Operations

Hyderabad: 61 arrests (14 states)
Chandigarh: 109 arrests (10 states)
Nuh: 8 arrests (latest operation) + 180+ in historical operations
Combined Recent Total: 178+ arrests across 20+ states

Financial Impact and Recovery

Hyderabad: ₹1.01 crore directly refunded to victims
Chandigarh: ₹2.91 crore frozen in fraudulent accounts
Nuh Historical: ₹100+ crore defrauded (₹1+ crore recovered in 2024)
Total Victim Protection: Over ₹100 crore in combined impact

Evidence and Asset Seizures

Technology Seized Across Operations:

300+ mobile phones (50 Hyderabad + 170 Chandigarh + 80+ Nuh operations)
150+ SIM cards/boxes (82 Hyderabad + 6 boxes Chandigarh + 65+ Nuh)
80+ ATM/debit cards (51 Hyderabad + various across other operations)
15+ laptops (7 Hyderabad + 5 Chandigarh + 3+ Nuh)
Multiple shell company stamps, fake documents, and vehicles

Sophisticated Criminal Networks Exposed

International Connections

The Chandigarh investigation revealed the most concerning international aspect, 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.

Domestic Training Networks

Nuh investigations revealed that most arrested youth were trained in the villages of Jurehera and Ghamdi in Rajasthan's Bharatpur, which have emerged as "cybercrime training hubs" offering courses on communication skills, fraud techniques, and precautions while committing cyber fraud.

Modus Operandi Across Operations

Common Criminal Methods:

Social Media Exploitation: Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook for fake investment schemes
Authority Impersonation: Police, tax officials, courier companies for digital arrest scams
Sextortion: Creating compromising material during video calls for blackmail
Fake Identity Scams: OLX frauds, job offers, investment opportunities
Technical Deception: VPNs, spoofed numbers, fake apps, mule accounts

Geographic Distribution: Mapping India's Cybercrime Hotspots

States Most Affected by Criminal Networks

Based on arrest data:

Rajasthan: 36 arrests (Chandigarh operation) - emerging as major hub
Uttar Pradesh: 25 total arrests across operations
Tamil Nadu: 20 arrests (Hyderabad operation)
Gujarat: 18 arrests (Hyderabad operation)
Karnataka: 16 arrests (Hyderabad operation)
Maharashtra: 13 arrests (Hyderabad operation)
Delhi: 13 arrests (Hyderabad operation)
Haryana: 12 arrests (Chandigarh) + Nuh operations
Punjab: 11 arrests (Chandigarh operation)

Border Area Vulnerabilities

Criminals typically operate at border areas of Rajasthan and Haryana as it is difficult to track mobile locations, with investigations revealing that criminals use the proximity to multiple state boundaries to evade law enforcement.

Technology and Intelligence: The Pratibimb Revolution

Advanced Detection Systems

All three operations leveraged the Pratibimb portal, part of the Union Home Ministry's Integrated Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which provides real-time location data of cyber criminals and was crucial in identifying 594 cyber fraud suspects, with 101 linked to Nuh and neighboring Alwar in Rajasthan.

Intelligence-Led Operations

The I4C has also recently unveiled software called Pratibimb to help law enforcement agencies track active mobile numbers used in cyber crime using a geographic information system map, which has led to effective enforcement actions.

The Digital Arrest Epidemic: A National Crisis

Escalating Threat Scale

Digital arrest scams represent the fastest-growing cybercrime category, with the number of digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes almost tripling between 2022 and 2024, with defrauded amounts increasing by 21 times during the period.

Psychological Manipulation Tactics

The operations revealed sophisticated psychological manipulation:

Authority Invocation: Impersonating police, CBI, ED, customs officials
Panic Induction: Threats of immediate arrest for fabricated crimes
Isolation Tactics: Preventing victims from consulting family/friends
Document Forgery: Fake legal papers, arrest warrants, investigation orders

Law Enforcement Evolution: Coordinated Response Framework

Inter-State Coordination Success

The simultaneous success of three major operations demonstrates the effectiveness of seven joint cyber coordination teams constituted by the Centre to enhance coordination among different law enforcement agencies dealing with cyber crimes and cyber crime hotspots.

Specialized Unit Development

Hyderabad Model: Zonal Cyber Cells across seven zones with 61 specially trained personnel
Chandigarh Approach: Eight-month sustained operation with 56 targeted raids
Nuh Strategy: Dedicated cyber police station (established August 2022) for persistent hotspot monitoring

Technology Integration

The I4C operates the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre that connects financial institutions, telecom companies, internet service providers, and law enforcement agencies, and has proactively identified and blocked more than 3,962 Skype IDs and 83,668 WhatsApp accounts used for digital arrest.

Systemic Challenges Revealed

Infrastructure and Coordination Hurdles

Chandigarh Operation Challenges:

Rural operations in areas with poor internet infrastructure
Jurisdictional coordination requiring legal sanction from multiple states
Mobile criminal networks using rotational shifts and equipment movement
Fake identity documentation complicating investigations

Nuh-Specific Issues:

Border area operations making mobile location tracking difficult
Established criminal training networks in neighboring states
Social factors contributing to cybercrime adoption among unemployed youth

Recovery Rate Challenges

In Chandigarh UT, despite 257 FIRs involving over ₹95 crore between April 2023 and March 2025 and 200 arrests, police managed to recover only slightly over ₹15 crore, highlighting the mounting difficulty of tracking and retrieving stolen funds.

International Cooperation and Cross-Border Challenges

Emerging Global 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.

Overseas Criminal Operations

The discovery of international criminal syndicates operating from Southeast Asia highlights the need for enhanced cross-border law enforcement cooperation and real-time intelligence sharing between countries.

Prevention and Public Awareness: Lessons Learned

Vulnerability Patterns

High-Risk Demographics Identified:

Senior citizens (particularly retired military personnel)
Small business owners seeking investment opportunities
Social media users susceptible to authority figures
Individuals with steady bank balances above ₹50,000

Red Flags Highlighted Across Operations

Unsolicited Investment Opportunities: Especially via social media groups
Authority Figure Impersonation: Police, tax officials, courier companies
Urgency and Isolation Tactics: Pressure to act quickly without consultation
Technology-Based Manipulation: Requests to download unknown apps or grant remote access
Financial Demand Patterns: Requests for immediate payments to avoid arrest

Measuring Success: Impact Assessment

Quantitative Achievements

Immediate Impact:

178+ arrests across recent operations
₹4+ crore in victim protection and recovery
Disruption of international criminal networks
300+ technological devices seized

Systemic Impact:

Demonstration of effective inter-state coordination
Integration of advanced technology in law enforcement
Enhanced public awareness through media coverage
Deterrent effect on potential criminals

Qualitative Changes

Law Enforcement Evolution:

Shift from reactive to proactive investigation
Integration of real-time technology and intelligence
Enhanced cross-jurisdictional cooperation protocols
Specialized unit development and training

Public Awareness Growth:

Increased victim reporting due to successful recoveries
Enhanced understanding of cybercrime tactics
Greater skepticism toward unsolicited offers
Improved digital literacy in vulnerable populations

Looking Forward: Strategic Implications for 2026

Scaling Challenges

With India projected to lose ₹20,000 crore to cybercrime in 2025 (a 76.5% increase from 2024), operations of this scale must become routine rather than exceptional. Key requirements include:

Resource Intensification:

Sustained funding for specialized cybercrime units
Advanced technology infrastructure in rural areas
Continuous training programs for evolving threats
Enhanced international cooperation frameworks

Prevention vs. Enforcement Balance:

Expanded public education campaigns
Financial system hardening to prevent exploitation
Technology platform accountability measures
Community-based awareness programs

Emerging Threat Landscape

Next-Generation Challenges:

AI-powered fraud techniques
Cryptocurrency-based money laundering
Cross-border virtual criminal organizations
Social engineering sophistication increase

Required Response Evolution:

Advanced digital forensics capabilities
Real-time international intelligence sharing
Predictive analytics for fraud prevention
Enhanced private-public sector collaboration

The Cultural Dimension: Addressing Root Causes

In Nuh, illiterate youths who were previously involved in vehicle theft, phone snatching, and cattle smuggling shifted to cybercrime during the past two years after being "trained" in such activities, highlighting how socioeconomic factors contribute to cybercrime adoption.

Community-Based Solutions

Addressing Underlying Issues:

Economic development in cybercrime hotspot areas
Education and skill development programs for youth
Alternative livelihood opportunities in affected regions
Community policing and awareness initiatives

Conclusion: A Turning Point in India's Cybercrime Combat

The simultaneous success of three major cybercrime operations - Hyderabad (61 arrests), Chandigarh (109 arrests), and Nuh (ongoing crackdown) - marks a historic turning point in India's fight against cybercrime. With combined arrests exceeding 180 individuals, nearly ₹5 crore in financial recovery and protection, and the disruption of international criminal networks spanning Southeast Asia, these operations demonstrate that coordinated law enforcement action can effectively combat even the most sophisticated cybercrime syndicates.

Key Success Factors

Technology Integration: The Pratibimb portal and I4C framework enabled real-time criminal tracking and inter-state coordination
Multi-State Cooperation: Effective collaboration across 20+ states showed that criminal networks spanning multiple jurisdictions can be dismantled
Intelligence-Led Operations: Advanced digital forensics and sustained monitoring proved essential for identifying and disrupting criminal networks
Specialized Unit Development: Dedicated cybercrime units with specialized training demonstrated superior effectiveness

Critical Lessons Learned

Scale of the Problem: The discovery of operations spanning from India to Southeast Asia reveals cybercrime as a truly global challenge requiring international cooperation
Geographic Concentration: Certain areas (Nuh, border regions) have become specialized criminal hubs requiring sustained attention
Evolving Criminal Sophistication: From simple fraud to complex psychological manipulation, criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated
Recovery Challenges: While arrests are successful, fund recovery remains difficult, emphasizing the need for preventive measures

The Road Ahead

These operations occur against the backdrop of an escalating threat landscape, with cybercrime losses projected to reach ₹20,000 crore in 2025. However, they prove that with proper coordination, technology, and sustained effort, law enforcement can:

Disrupt international criminal networks
Recover significant funds for victims
Create effective deterrent effects
Build public confidence in digital transactions

The true measure of success will be whether these operations can be scaled and sustained to match the pace at which cybercrime continues to evolve. The framework demonstrated by these three operations - combining advanced technology, inter-state coordination, specialized units, and sustained effort - provides a proven model for addressing India's cybercrime challenge.

Future Requirements

To build on these successes, India needs:

Sustained Investment: Continuous funding for cybercrime units and technology infrastructure
International Cooperation: Enhanced partnerships to combat cross-border criminal networks
Prevention Focus: Expanded public awareness and education programs
System Hardening: Improved security measures in financial and digital systems
Legal Framework Evolution: Updated laws to address emerging cyber threats

As India's digital economy continues to expand, the battle against cybercrime will require ongoing innovation, coordination, and commitment. These three operations prove that with the right approach, law enforcement can protect citizens and hold criminals accountable - even across state and international boundaries. The challenge now is to institutionalize these successes and build a sustainable defense against an increasingly sophisticated criminal ecosystem.

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

Prevention Tip: Be especially cautious of investment opportunities on social media, authority figures demanding urgent action, and any requests to download unknown software or grant remote access to devices.