Organised Scam Centres

How cyber fraud became organised at scale, from Jharkhand's Jamtara to scam compounds in Southeast Asia that trafficked workers, and the "digital arrest" fraud wave.

Online fraud has become an organised industry.

Jamtara

The district of Jamtara in Jharkhand became known in the 2010s as a hub for phone and banking fraud, with local groups calling victims across India.

Scam compounds abroad

In Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, criminal groups run large scam compounds.
Many workers, including Indians, were trafficked with fake job offers and forced to run scams.
India rescued hundreds of nationals from such compounds in 2024-25.

Digital arrest

A fraud wave around 2024 saw criminals pose as police or officials on video calls, claiming victims were under “digital arrest” and demanding money. The Prime Minister warned the public about it in 2024.

Scale

Indians reported losses of thousands of crores of rupees to cyber fraud in recent years, according to government data.

Response

The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and helpline 1930.
Blocking of SIM cards and mule bank accounts.
International cooperation against compounds.

Money mules

Criminals use mule accounts, often rented from poor people, to move stolen money.

The fake job

A young man answers an online ad for a data entry job in Thailand. He is taken across the border to Myanmar and forced to run investment scams until rescued.

Thinking scam calls come from lone tricksters

Many come from organised, sometimes trafficking-based, operations.

Key takeaways

Jamtara became known for organised phone fraud.
Scam compounds in Southeast Asia trafficked workers, including Indians.
"Digital arrest" frauds surged around 2024.
Helpline 1930 and blocking mule accounts help.