Cybercrime has emerged as a significant issue, with reports indicating that funds collected by cybercriminals are being transferred abroad, primarily to Southeast Asian nations and Pakistan. The Morigaon district, in particular, has become a hotspot for such activities. Positively, Morigaon police have taken notable action, arresting over 300 individuals linked to cybercrimes in the past three years, and recovering ₹1.20 crore for victims.
According to police sources speaking to The Assam Tribune, the Lahorighat and Moirabari regions of Morigaon have been identified as major centers for cybercriminal operations. Young individuals, mostly from minority communities, have traveled to cities like Bangalore and Kerala, where they learned about cyber operations, returning home to engage in criminal activities.
Initially, these criminals produced fake documents under different names and targeted non-banking financial institutions to secure loans, which they subsequently absconded with. Additionally, past government outsourcing of Aadhaar centers allowed criminals to exploit the system to acquire Aadhaar cards using fictitious identities. A particular center managed by an individual named Salam became a central hub for these illicit activities. Once these fraudulent operations were uncovered, the government closed down many of these outsourced centers.
Sources indicate that these criminals maintained communication with cybercrime specialists both within India and internationally via WhatsApp. The police report that a significant portion of the money generated from these illegal activities was funneled to Southeast Asia, with some funds also directed to Pakistan. Notably, individuals from regions such as Rajasthan and Haryana traveled to Morigaon seeking training in cybercrime.
Moreover, criminals in Morigaon facilitated outsiders in acquiring SIM cards using fake documentation. Some of these SIMs were reportedly operational in regions close to the India-Pakistan border. In response to police measures, more than 72,000 fraudulent SIM cards have been deactivated. However, some of these illegally obtained SIMs may still be in use, as completely identifying them poses a challenge for law enforcement.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/morigaon-emerges-as-cybercrime-hub-police-bust-network-recover-rs-120-cr-1603772
Category: Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2026-01-08 08:56:00
