Man with China links held for Rs 1,071 crore cyber fraud across 1,090 cases. Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: The Gujarat CID has arrested a 25-year-old man from Assam who allegedly masterminded 1,090 cybercrime cases involving Rs 1,071.5 crore across India and maintained links with China-based criminals.The accused, Rafiqul Alam, was arrested by the CID’s cyber cell in Barpeta, Assam, following a technical investigation into an alleged international cybercrime network, according to news agency ANI.Investigators said Alam was allegedly responsible for routing money obtained through cyber fraud, including “digital arrest” scams, through thousands of bank accounts before converting the funds into cryptocurrency and sending them to China.The Gandhinagar-based Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCE) said Alam transferred tainted money through 1,754 bank accounts across India, breaking large amounts into smaller transactions to evade financial surveillance. Police separately said the investigation traced the money to 1,758 accounts.“The money received by the accused through digital arrest or cyber frauds was split and transferred to 1,754 bank accounts across India within an hour by converting large amounts into small amounts to evade the attention of financial surveillance agencies,” the CCE told ANI.Police said Alam was allegedly connected to China-based criminals through WhatsApp and Telegram, where financial information and details of cybercrime operations were exchanged.“The accused exchanged financial information (scanner, user ID, password, crypto wallet, modus operandi of the crime, etc.) directly with Chinese criminals through WhatsApp and Telegram,” the CCE said.Investigators found 23 cryptocurrency wallets on Alam’s mobile phones, through which around Rs 16 crore had been transacted, the CCE said.The agency said the transactions established a link between cryptocurrency and a China-based gang. Investigators also found alleged illegal cryptocurrency trading carried out through the “chip seller” app.“Based on technical analysis and the victims’ statement, a team from CCE visited Barpeta city and conducted a three-day recce of the house of the main money launderer in disguise and arrested him along with his technical gadgets,” it said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe CCE described Alam as the alleged “mastermind” of an international gang.“The accused has been involved in a total of 1,090 cyber crimes across the country amounting to Rs 1071.5 crore. His mobile phones also had gaming account transactions,” the Gujarat police unit said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai123PhotostoriesWhy does aluminium foil have a shiny and dull side? Here’s the science behind it5 Snakes that thrive in extreme climates: Here’s how they survive harsh weather conditionsForget quinoa: 9 ways to add dalia to your daily breakfast7 email habits that can make you look careless at work even when your actual work is goodGeorgina Rodríguez’s wedding jewellery was pure Kalahari luxury, and the diamonds clearly came to competePriyanka Chopra’s maroon backless gown just gave desi Disney princess energy with a trail that refused to behave10 powerful baby boy and girl names from different cultures that mean strengthOptical Illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your secret personality traitH1N1 or seasonal flu? Symptoms often overlap, but doctors look for these clues before deciding9 ways to add more protein to your roti123Hot PicksArshdeep Singh DangBank holidays this weekBihar STET 2026BJP new teamJharkhand ProtestUS green cardAbhijeet DipkeSupreme Court HolidayTwisha SharmaTop TrendingTwisha SharmaDelhi Draft PollMadhya Pradesh AccidentKolkata Airport Building FireAbhijeet DipkeKiren RijijuMuzaffarnagar Kanwariya MurderWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir
NEW DELHI: The Gujarat CID has arrested a 25-year-old man from Assam who allegedly masterminded 1,090 cybercrime cases involving Rs 1,071.5 crore across India and maintained links with China-based criminals.The accused, Rafiqul Alam, was arrested by the CID’s cyber cell in Barpeta, Assam, following a technical investigation into an alleged international cybercrime network, according to news agency ANI.Investigators said Alam was allegedly responsible for routing money obtained through cyber fraud, including “digital arrest” scams, through thousands of bank accounts before converting the funds into cryptocurrency and sending them to China.The Gandhinagar-based Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCE) said Alam transferred tainted money through 1,754 bank accounts across India, breaking large amounts into smaller transactions to evade financial surveillance. Police separately said the investigation traced the money to 1,758 accounts.“The money received by the accused through digital arrest or cyber frauds was split and transferred to 1,754 bank accounts across India within an hour by converting large amounts into small amounts to evade the attention of financial surveillance agencies,” the CCE told ANI.Police said Alam was allegedly connected to China-based criminals through WhatsApp and Telegram, where financial information and details of cybercrime operations were exchanged.“The accused exchanged financial information (scanner, user ID, password, crypto wallet, modus operandi of the crime, etc.) directly with Chinese criminals through WhatsApp and Telegram,” the CCE said.Investigators found 23 cryptocurrency wallets on Alam’s mobile phones, through which around Rs 16 crore had been transacted, the CCE said.The agency said the transactions established a link between cryptocurrency and a China-based gang. Investigators also found alleged illegal cryptocurrency trading carried out through the “chip seller” app.“Based on technical analysis and the victims’ statement, a team from CCE visited Barpeta city and conducted a three-day recce of the house of the main money launderer in disguise and arrested him along with his technical gadgets,” it said.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The CCE described Alam as the alleged “mastermind” of an international gang.“The accused has been involved in a total of 1,090 cyber crimes across the country amounting to Rs 1071.5 crore. His mobile phones also had gaming account transactions,” the Gujarat police unit said.
