Joint Investigation Launched into Online Racket in Jorhat
Investigation into Alleged Online Racket
File image of Jorhat Sadar Police Station (Photo: Anupam das/ Gmaps)
Jorhat, June 28: Authorities have initiated a collaborative inquiry with the Cyber Cell regarding a suspected online scam that misuses Jorhat's name to advertise escort services via various websites and social media.
Hrishikesh Hazarika, Officer-in-Charge of Jorhat Sadar Police Station, confirmed that a case has been filed and the investigation is ongoing. However, the process has become complicated as the websites linked to the alleged racket have been removed.
Hazarika stated, "The investigation has encountered obstacles due to the deletion of the website by the perpetrators. Once the website is reactivated, we will be able to trace its origin and advance our investigation."
He mentioned that the police are working closely with the Cyber Cell, providing all necessary information related to the case. "The investigation is still in progress," he added.
The inquiry was prompted by a complaint from Bijoy Sankar Borbora, a local advocate, who reported the presence of a structured online racket involving cyber fraud, identity theft, and the defamation of women, alongside the operation of fake escort services using Jorhat's name.
Borbora's complaint indicated that numerous websites and social media pages referencing Jorhat had uploaded images of young women from various regions of Assam, along with their phone numbers and supposed service details.
He accused the operators of exploiting Jorhat's identity to facilitate illegal online activities while misleading potential victims.
In his complaint, Borbora also noted that these platforms displayed organized rate charts ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 45,000, suggesting that the listings were designed to enable advance-payment scams.
"Unknown individuals and online fraudsters have established harmful websites and digital ads under terms like 'Jorhat Call Girls' and 'Independent Call Girl Service Jorhat'. These sites are publishing unauthorized images of innocent young women, falsely linking them to escort or adult services," the complaint detailed.
Borbora has called for a thorough and unbiased investigation, urging authorities to identify and hold accountable those responsible. He also advised the public to stay alert against cyber fraud and online scams.
The allegations have raised eyebrows in Jorhat, especially following a recent police operation at Orbit Hotel on the Jorhat bypass, where authorities uncovered a suspected sex trafficking ring and arrested 15 individuals, igniting widespread concern about illegal activities in the area.