Established in August 2022, the Cyber Police Station in Nuh has become a critical hub for addressing the rapidly escalating cyber fraud cases in the region. Located within the infamous Mewat area, Nuh has gained notoriety as one of Haryana’s leading districts for cybercrime, with a growing number of citizens falling victim to online scams and fraud. As part of the election coverage for the Haryana Assembly Polls, Organiser visited the Cyber Crime Police Station on September 25, where Police Station In-charge (PSI) Puneet provided an in-depth discussion on the surge of cyber fraud and the proactive steps the Haryana Police have taken to combat this threat.
PSI Puneet explained that prior to 2022, Haryana’s cyber police stations operated only at the range level, and Nuh, along with Palwal, Mahendragarh, and Rewari, fell under the jurisdiction of the South Range. At that time, the sole cyber police station in this range was located at the Rewari headquarters. However, with cybercrimes increasing at an alarming rate, it became evident that a more localised approach was needed, and district-wise cyber police stations were established to better tackle the issue. Nuh, being particularly vulnerable, was one of the districts that benefitted from this expansion.
Need of Cyber Police Station in Nuh
In its first year of operation, the station faced several challenges. The number of reported cases was initially low, as both the public and the police were still adapting to the new setup. Staffing was limited, and the police station was not yet fully equipped to handle the sophisticated nature of cybercrimes. However, by 2023 and 2024, the situation had improved significantly. The number of cases being reported had risen substantially, and the station’s capabilities in recovering stolen assets had also seen notable progress.
According to available records, 80 FIRs related to cyber fraud were registered in 2023. By September 2024, that number had risen to 115, highlighting the growing awareness among citizens and the improved efficiency of the police in handling these cases. Similarly, the number of arrests saw a dramatic rise. In 2023, 186 individuals were arrested for their involvement in cyber fraud, and this number increased to 202 by 2024.
Despite these successes, PSI Puneet acknowledged that the conviction rate for cybercriminals remains low. He explained that cyber fraud investigations are time-consuming, often requiring extensive tracking of online transactions, fake identities, and SIM cards. Additionally, the perpetrators may not always be operating locally, as cybercriminals can work from any part of India. While the investigative process is complex and the legal proceedings take time, PSI Puneet assured that justice would eventually be served, and no criminal would escape punishment.
The conversation also highlighted the broader challenges faced by the police in combating cybercrime. The rise of digital transactions and online platforms has made it easier for fraudsters to operate anonymously, creating a constant challenge for the police.
Biggest of all exposé
On April 28, 2023, the Nuh police carried out a massive operation, targeting a widespread network of cyber criminals that had plagued the region for years. With over 5,000 personnel deployed, they raided 14 villages that had become notorious hubs for cyber fraud. In a single day, 66 individuals were arrested, all linked to thousands of cybercrime networks operating across India. The operation, which involved 102 police teams and led to the apprehension of 125 cybercriminals or hackers. Of these, 65 were formally arrested, with most found in villages such as Nai, Luhinga Kalan, Jaimat, Khedla, Tirwara, and Aminabad.
The raids led to significant recoveries, including 166 Aadhaar cards, 66 cellphones, 65 fake SIM cards, three laptops, 128 ATM cards, two ATM swipe machines, an AEPS machine, six scanners, and five PAN cards. The police also seized 22 motorcycles, two cars, four tractor-trailers, seven country-made weapons, and two cartridges. These coordinated raids spanned across Punhana, Pinangwa, Ferozepur Jhirka, and Bichhore areas, disrupting key criminal networks.
In a subsequent crackdown in April 2024, Nuh police arrested 42 cybercriminals over two days. During this operation, the police confiscated 50 cell phones, numerous fake Aadhaar cards, over 90 SIM cards obtained using forged documents, as well as cash and several ATM cards. The operation’s success was credited to the Pratibimb portal, part of the Union Home Ministry’s Integrated Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (i4C). The portal provided real-time location data of cyber criminals, which was crucial in identifying and tracking 594 cyber fraud suspects, with 101 of these linked to Nuh and the neighbouring region of Alwar in Rajasthan.
PSI Puneet shed light on the tactics employed by these criminals, many of whom operate from hotspots like Bharatpur and Deeg. These areas, bordering Haryana, are notorious for sextortion, fake identity scams, OLX-related frauds, and fraudulent job offers. In response, the Haryana Police have launched awareness campaigns to educate the public on digital literacy and cyber fraud prevention. Initiatives like Rahgiri are used as a platform to spread awareness, particularly in Nuh. Furthermore, Haryana Police takes proactive steps by taking suo-motu investigations, where they closely monitor suspicious accounts and networks, often busting them before crimes escalate.
On the subject of recovery, PSI Puneet revealed that although the total amount recovered in 2024 couldn’t be disclosed, the police had already managed to retrieve over one crore rupees.
He also touched upon the July 2023 attack on the Cyber Police Station in Nuh, when an Islamist mob, in an attempt to destroy evidence and disrupt investigations, forcibly entered the compound and burned police vehicles. The mob also attempted to set fire to documents and break into the cyber cell, but fortunately, they failed to reach the secure room.
Notably, the violence was part of a broader anti-Hindu riot that erupted in Nuh, during which the mob hijacked a public bus and rammed it into the station’s boundary wall. CCTV footage from the day shows the mob targeting and damaging over 15 to 20 vehicles parked inside the station.
Victim’s testimony
One of the victims, speaking under the promise of anonymity, recounted the chilling moment his world began to unravel. “It was a regular day, and then suddenly, my phone rang. Truecaller identified the number as ‘Delhi Police Crime Branch.’ My heart sank,” he shared, his voice trembling with the memory. “I knew something was wrong.”
The voice on the other end was calm yet menacing. “They told me they had found an ashleel (obscene) video of me on YouTube and demanded Rs 20,000 to erase it. I knew immediately that this wasn’t the police. I was being blackmailed,” he continued.
It all started with an unexpected video call. “I answered the call, and to my horror, a naked woman appeared on my screen. I immediately disconnected, but it was too late. The damage had been done in just four seconds.”
Seconds later, his phone rang again. This time, it was a man’s voice, cold and calculating. “They demanded Rs 5,000, threatening to send a screen recording of what they called a ‘sex chat’ to all my friends and family,” recalled the victim. “I told them I didn’t have the money.”
The fear was overwhelming. The shame, suffocating. Desperate, the victim scrambled to borrow money from his friends, but it wasn’t enough. The next day, when the blackmailers realised he couldn’t pay, they escalated their threats. “They sent a link to my family and friends on Facebook. They must have pulled my details from my mobile number. I was humiliated, terrified, and I just went offline,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Two days later came the call from the so-called ‘Delhi Police.’ It was in that moment, he said, that the truth hit him like a brick: he was being sextorted. “I felt trapped, like there was no way out. They made me believe I was the criminal when all I did was answer a call.”
“I don’t know how they sleep at night, doing this to people,” he whispered, his voice heavy with grief and anger.
Tip of the iceberg
Regarding the demographics of those involved in cybercrime, PSI Puneet stated that since Nuh is a Muslim-majority area, a significant number of the accused are Muslims. To corroborate his claim, Organiser reviewed 40 FIRs registered between 2022 and 2024, which provided further insight into the cases handled by the police. Following table contains details of the 40 FIRs accessed by Organiser:
The details presented in the table indicate a pattern in these attacks, connecting the rise in police action against cybercrime with the attack on the Brijmandal Shobha Yatra, as well as ongoing religious tensions and the activities of cattle smuggling. While religious hatred remains a significant factor, the intensified crackdown on cybercrime in Nuh, resulting in numerous arrests and the disruption of criminal networks, may have also contributed to resentment within the local population, particularly among those involved in illegal activities. This was one of the theories circulated during the attacks and subsequent investigations. The data supports the argument when looking with a separate attack on the police station carried out by the Islamists.
The individuals arrested for cyber fraud face a wide array of serious charges under both the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Many of these accused have been charged with impersonation and fraud under Sections 419 and 420 of the IPC, as well as forgery and the use of forged documents (Sections 467, 468, 471 IPC). The cases reveal a well-organized criminal conspiracy (Section 120-B IPC) carried out with a common intention (Section 34 IPC), making the accused liable for significant punishment. Their cyber offences include identity theft and digital fraud, both prosecutable under the IT Act, further complicating their legal battle.
In addition to cyber-related crimes, some of the accused have also been charged with extortion (Section 384 IPC), theft (Section 379 IPC), and the possession of stolen property (Section 411 IPC). The comprehensive set of charges reflects the gravity of the offences and the potential consequences for those involved.
As the police continue to unravel these cybercrime operations, they are likely dealing with not only local resentment but also broader criminal networks operating across the country. While the religious motives behind the attack cannot be ignored, the increasing police pressure on organised cybercrime rings has likely contributed to the unrest in the region, making it clear that both religious and criminal factors are at play. The outcome of these cases, once convictions are secured, will set a significant precedent for combating cybercrime and preventing future violence.
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