Jamtara Model: Cybercrime hubs flourish in North Indian towns, Kolkata Police unveils alarming trends

Jamtara, Jharkhand, once a singular hotspot for cyber fraud, has spawned a network of copycat hubs across North India, raising concerns about the growing sophistication and geographical reach of cybercrime.

Kolkata Police, investigating cybercrimes, discovered this alarming trend. While Jamtara and the Mewat region (spanning Rajasthan and Haryana) were already infamous for online scams, authorities have now identified new hubs in Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), Gopalganj (Bihar), Dhanbad and Dumka (Jharkhand), and Kulti (West Bengal). Nuh in Haryana’s Mewat region, is also a major player.

“These towns even hold training sessions for new recruits,” said Syed Waquar Raza, Joint CP (Crime) of Kolkata Police. This information comes from analysing 610 cybercrime FIRs registered in Kolkata between 2021 and 2024. Nuh, Bharatpur, and Mathura each saw roughly 20 cases, while the remaining towns had 5-8 cases traced back to them.

These findings mirror a 2023 report by an IIT Kanpur startup. The report identified 10 districts – including Bharatpur, Mathura, Nuh, Deoghar, Jamtara, Gurugram, Alwar, Bokaro, Karma Tand, and Giridih – as contributing to 80 per cent of reported cybercrimes in India.

The IIT Kanpur study highlights key factors fueling the rise of cybercrime in these smaller towns:

• Proximity to Major Cities: These towns are close to major urban centers, providing easy access to potential victims.
• Limited Cybersecurity Infrastructure: Weaker cybersecurity infrastructure in these areas makes them less equipped to defend against attacks.
• Kolkata Police sheds light on the perpetrators: “They don’t target victims – random calls and messages are their strategy. Those lacking cyber awareness or letting greed overpower common sense fall prey,” explained a police officer.

Another worrying trend is the young age of the perpetrators. Kolkata Police’s analysis reveals an average age below 35, with many being repeat offenders. “Tracing them is difficult,” the officer added. “Someone arrested here might be arrested later by, say, Mumbai Police. The MHA is working on a central portal for tracking repeat offenders.”

The officer emphasised the challenges faced by law enforcement: “People blame the police when they lose money, but these crimes span vast distances and require days of tracking. Only rigorous public awareness campaigns and cyber education can help us combat this.”

Kolkata Police is taking a multi-pronged approach to raise awareness:

In order to combat the rising cybercrime, safety messages will be displayed on 50 LED display boards managed by traffic police, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), and private organisations. “Dos and don’ts” will be displayed inside buses, autos, and even malls. Each police station will have a dedicated cybercrime help desk and malls, schools, banks, and local businesses are being approached to collaborate in spreading awareness to root out this menace of cybercrime.

As cybercriminals continue to adapt and evolve their tactics, the fight against cybercrime demands a multifaceted approach, encompassing technological advancements, legislative reforms, and public awareness initiatives. Through collaborative efforts and sustained vigilance, authorities aim to curb the menace of cyber fraud and safeguard the integrity of digital ecosystems across the nation.