As cyber fraud activity surges in Rajasthan, law enforcement is increasingly challenged by the involvement of entire villages, making it difficult to apprehend suspects. Villages like Bharatpur, and cities such as Jodhpur and Jaipur, are now reported hubs for online scams, using mule accounts and evading arrest with local community support.

In Jharkhand’s Jamtara, once a notorious cybercrime center, strict policing has halted arrests in 2024. However, officials have observed significant increases in cybercriminal activities in Rajasthan’s rural areas. The Cyber Crime Unit, which apprehended five cybercriminals in 2022, has already detained around 16 suspects from Rajasthan this year. This figure excludes those arrested by regional police forces.

Authorities note that Rajasthan’s villages are transforming into cyber fraud centers, creating substantial hurdles in executing arrests due to community resistance. Since 2022, Cyber Crime officials have detained 680 online fraud suspects. Maharashtra tops this count with 287 arrests, followed by 56 in Uttar Pradesh, 41 in Gujarat, and 36 in Rajasthan. No arrests have been made in Jamtara in 2024, compared to 12 in Jharkhand the previous year.

Villagers in these areas reportedly see cyber fraud as a primary income source, with some even arranging marriages based on earnings from cybercrime.

Cyber Fraud in Rajasthan: The Mechanics

In villages like Bharatpur, Mehwar, and Nuh, locals are involved in direct calls to scam victims, while cities like Jodhpur and Jaipur serve as financial hubs, where fraudulent gains are deposited and withdrawn. These interconnected groups alert each other of law enforcement presence, complicating arrests.

For instance, in one case, Kalachowki police arrested a suspect in March who had extorted a victim through fraudulent arrangements. The investigation traced the fraudster to Bankoda, a Rajasthan village, where he operated with local cooperation, making the probe challenging. The suspect was eventually captured after officers posed as Zomato delivery agents to confirm his location.

Community Resistance to Law Enforcement

Arrests in Rajasthan’s cyber fraud hubs are hindered by lack of cooperation, with villagers sometimes mobilizing against law enforcement efforts. Police report that residents often alert suspects about incoming officers, resulting in entire communities gathering to obstruct arrests. In some cases, village women have shielded male suspects, occasionally resorting to violent resistance.

Why Villages Engage in Cyber Fraud

1. Quick financial gain

2. High unemployment rates

3. Support from local communities

Cyber Safety Measures for Citizens

As cybercrime evolves, protecting your digital identity is crucial. DCP Crime Datta Nalawde advises citizens to stay vigilant, secure personal information, and promptly report suspicious activity to the 1930 helpline for cyber frauds.

CYBER HELPLINE NUMBER:1930