Background and Timeline: Reported on March 26, 2026, investigations by the Ludhiana Commissionerate have identified a new epicentre for digital fraud. While Jamtara was once the primary concern, police noted that active fraud clusters are now operating from shanties along the Bihar-Jharkhand border. This disclosure follows a surge in fraudulent calls received by Ludhiana residents over the last 10 days.
Modus Operandi: The operations are carried out by literate but unemployed individuals who operate independently without a single central kingpin. Scammers contact victims through WhatsApp and regular phone calls, claiming they have won a lottery or representing themselves as courier delivery agents. They extract amounts between ₹5,000 and ₹10,000 as “registration charges” and direct victims to non-existent “Gandhi lottery counters” to collect fake prizes.
Victims and Financial Impact: Residents of Ludhiana are the primary victims, with dozens reporting losses to courier-tracking scams and lottery frauds in the last week. While individual losses are small (₹5k-10k), the high volume of calls results in a significant cumulative financial drain on the community. The scams often target people who have recently placed online orders, suggesting potential data leaks from logistics providers.
Investigation and Agencies Involved: The Ludhiana Cyber Crime police station led the technical investigation, tracking the calls to districts like Nawada, Nalanda, and Purnia. Investigators discovered that fraudsters often procure SIM cards and bank accounts from needy individuals by paying them small commissions. Police conducted raids in Purnia and adjoining districts to apprehend suspects linked to these localized modules.
Arrests and Suspects: Ludhiana police recently arrested Prabhat Singh of Purnia, Bihar, for running a lottery-themed scam that targeted local residents. Investigation revealed that he and several others were running similar networks from shanties in the border cluster. Most of the accused speak Hindi with a specific regional accent, which the police have advised residents to use as a warning sign for unsolicited calls.
Broader Implications and Trends: The findings signal a “decentralization” of cybercrime in India, where independent modules replace large-scale syndicates. It highlights the vulnerability of the courier and retail sector to data misuse. Authorities have cautioned residents against trusting calls regarding prize money or delivery problems and urged immediate reporting of such numbers to the 1930 helpline.