GUWAHATI: The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam has arrested six people in connection with an alleged organised financial fraud racket that operated through mule bank accounts and is suspected to have links with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).
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According to an STF press release issued on Monday, November 2, the investigation was initiated following intelligence inputs from central agencies, including Military Intelligence (MI), Gajraj, Tezpur. A complaint in this regard was lodged at the STF Police Station by Sonitpur Police.
Preliminary investigation revealed that an SBI account belonging to accused Marjina Begum of Ganesh Nagar, Chandmari, Guwahati, received credits amounting to several lakhs of rupees over a 47-day period, from June 22 to August 5. Investigators found that the money was withdrawn almost immediately after each deposit, raising suspicion about the transactions.
The STF also found the alleged involvement of Mofijul Haque (22) and Himangshu Das (19), both residents of Bamunimaidan under Chandmari Police Station, in suspicious transactions linked to the account. The investigation also indicated a suspected connection with a Pakistan Intelligence Operative.
The STF launched an operation on October 28 and arrested the three accused. Mobile phones and documents were recovered from their possession.
During interrogation, Haque and Das allegedly named several other people linked to the racket. Acting on the information, the STF arrested three more accused over the following two days.
Rakib Hussain (34) was arrested from his residence at Ganesh Bagar under Chandmari Police Station on October 29. On October 30, Iftar Hussain (25) was arrested from Uzanbazar under Latasil Police Station, while Arman Azuz Hoque (20) was arrested from Ananda Bagar under Noonmati Police Station.
During the raids, the STF seized mobile phones, laptops, electronic gadgets, bank passbooks, ATM cards and other documents from the accused.
According to the preliminary findings, the alleged syndicate had been operating across different parts of the country for around two years, using multiple mule bank accounts to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
The STF stated that the racket had allegedly defrauded victims of several crores of rupees. Its suspected mastermind is believed to be operating from outside Assam and coordinating the activities of other members.
Guwahati City Police assisted the STF in conducting the raids.
The investigation is ongoing, with the STF working to identify and arrest other members of the alleged network, trace the flow of funds and identify additional mule accounts. It is also examining the nature and extent of any involvement of Pakistan-based intelligence operatives or other anti-national elements.
