Aligarh Police Block 2,500 Numbers in ₹15 Crore Cyber Fraud Crackdown

Law enforcement authorities in Aligarh have blocked nearly 2,500 mobile numbers linked to cyber fraud schemes exceeding ₹15 crore, marking one of the largest coordinated actions against digital crime in Uttar Pradesh this year. The operation demonstrates how Indian police are adapting their investigative techniques to combat increasingly sophisticated online financial crimes that target vulnerable citizens.

Background and Context

The crackdown emerges amid a surge in cyber crime complaints across India, with the Aligarh district alone registering an average of 25 daily reports through the national cyber portal and 1930 helpline. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' cyber crime reporting portal, digital fraud has become one of the fastest-growing categories of crime in India, with losses running into billions of rupees annually. The Aligarh police action reflects a broader national strategy to treat mobile numbers and bank accounts not merely as passive tools, but as active instruments in organised digital fraud networks.

Key Figures and Entities

The Cyber Police Station in Aligarh has registered 411 high-value cases involving frauds exceeding ₹1 lakh each, totaling more than ₹11 crore, according to official police data. An additional 1,500 complaints involve smaller amounts under ₹1 lakh. Senior Superintendent of Police Neeraj Jadon has emphasized the critical role of public reporting through the national cyber infrastructure, noting that early intervention significantly increases the chances of fund recovery and perpetrator identification. The operation has successfully frozen transactions in over 2,000 bank accounts, providing partial relief to victims across the district.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The blocking action followed a sophisticated category-wise assessment to ensure precision while protecting legitimate mobile connections. Of the 2,500 deactivated numbers, more than 1,700 were flagged in coordination with police units across other districts and states, while 57 were directly linked to Aligarh-based cases. The remaining numbers belonged to accused persons already named in First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by various police units. This coordinated approach leverages the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's framework for disconnecting numbers involved in illegal activities, demonstrating how technical infrastructure can support law enforcement objectives.

International Implications and Policy Response

Investigations have identified villages in the Tappal and Gonda areas near the Mathura border as emerging cyber crime hotspots, where fraudulent phone calls, fake prize schemes, phishing links, and OTP-based scams proliferate. The Aligarh police action contributes to India's broader digital security strategy under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's cybersecurity framework. Authorities are increasingly employing data analytics, call pattern analysis, and bank transaction monitoring to move beyond complaint-based policing toward proactive disruption of fraud networks. This technology-driven approach aligns with international best practices for combating transnational digital crime, though challenges remain in addressing jurisdictional complexities and the borderless nature of online fraud operations.

Sources

This report draws on official police statements from the Aligarh Cyber Police Station, data from the national cyber crime reporting portal, and publicly available information from India's Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology regarding cyber crime prevention initiatives.