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Bihar Districts Rank Among India's Top Cybercrime Hubs

Recent findings reveal that Nawada, Nalanda, Patna, and Sheikhpura in Bihar are among the top 15 cybercrime hotspots in India. A review meeting led by the Chief Secretary highlighted the alarming rise in cyber fraud cases, particularly involving ATM and check scams. Authorities have taken significant steps under 'Operation Cyber Prahar', investigating thousands of bank accounts and arresting numerous suspects. The government is also focusing on restoring funds for victims of cyber fraud through dedicated modules. This article delves into the details of these developments and the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime in Bihar.
 

Cybercrime Centers Identified in Bihar

On August 7, it was revealed that the districts of Nawada, Nalanda, Patna, and Sheikhpura in Bihar are among the top 15 centers for cybercrime in the country. This information was disclosed during a review meeting led by Bihar's Chief Secretary, Pratyay Amrit, in Patna.


The meeting included participation from Bihar's Director General of Police, Vinay Kumar, along with all district magistrates, senior superintendents of police, and superintendents of police via video conference. According to a statement from the Bihar government, Nawada ranked second, Nalanda fourth, Patna seventh, and Sheikhpura fifteenth among the identified districts for cybercrime activities. Notably, Patna has emerged as a significant location for ATM and check fraud cases.


The statement further detailed that under 'Operation Cyber Prahar', authorities have scrutinized 6,251 'mule' bank accounts, initiated legal action against 702 individuals, and arrested 507 suspects. Mule accounts are those used by criminals for cyber fraud, money laundering, and transferring illegally obtained funds.


Additionally, the progress made in assisting victims of cyber fraud through the 'Money Restoration Module' (MRM) was highlighted. Out of 16,593 cases under MRM, action has been taken on 5,642 cases, resulting in restoration orders amounting to ₹2.24 crore. Under the Grievance Redressal Module (GRM), Bihar has resolved 98% of complaints related to the wrongful freezing of bank accounts.