Uttar Pradesh Police officers during a statewide operation targeting organised cybercrime and online fraud networks

Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 773 suspected cybercriminals during a week-long statewide operation that uncovered links to cyber fraud complaints involving approximately ₹1,158.70 crore. The operation, named Cy-Vajra-1, focused on organised cybercrime networks and the financial, communication and digital infrastructure used to support online fraud.

Operation Cy-Vajra Targets Organised Cybercrime Networks

The statewide operation was conducted from July 7 to July 13 following intelligence inputs about organised cybercrime activities. Police units across Uttar Pradesh carried out intelligence-based action against suspected cybercriminals under the direction of the state police leadership.

Thousands of Cybercrime Complaints Linked to Suspects

Police said the arrested suspects were connected to 7,989 complaints registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Authorities also registered 865 new FIRs and identified links to 196 previously registered cybercrime cases across different parts of the country. The cases were linked to cyber fraud estimated at approximately ₹1,158.70 crore.

Police Target Mule Bank Accounts and Fraud Infrastructure

The crackdown extended beyond individual arrests. Police took action against 3,866 mule bank accounts allegedly used to move fraudulent funds. Authorities also acted against 17 illegal call centres, five SIM box installations and 11 unauthorised point-of-sale SIM vendors allegedly connected to cybercrime activities.

Mobile Phones, SIM Cards and Digital Devices Seized

During searches, police seized ₹53.35 lakh in cash, 911 mobile phones, 75 laptops and desktop computers, 1,270 SIM cards, 648 debit and credit cards and 110 other electronic devices, including routers, CPUs and pen drives.

Authorities also recovered online gaming clusters valued at nearly ₹37 lakh. Investigators are examining the seized material for possible links to illegal financial transactions and the movement of crime proceeds.

Preventive Action Taken Against Additional Suspects

In addition to the 773 arrests, police detained or initiated preventive action against 673 other suspects under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The action was intended to prevent suspected individuals from continuing activities linked to cybercrime networks.

Investigation Focuses on the Wider Cyber Fraud Ecosystem

The results of Operation Cy-Vajra highlight the complex infrastructure behind organised online fraud. Mule accounts, illegal call centres, SIM box systems and unauthorised SIM distribution can help criminal networks manage communication and financial transactions across multiple locations.

By targeting these supporting systems, investigators are attempting to disrupt the wider cybercrime ecosystem rather than focusing only on individual suspects.

Conclusion

Uttar Pradesh Police’s Operation Cy-Vajra has emerged as a major statewide crackdown against organised cybercrime, with 773 arrests and fraud links involving approximately ₹1,158.70 crore identified during the operation. The action against mule accounts, illegal call centres, SIM infrastructure and digital devices highlights the growing focus on dismantling the systems that enable online fraud. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to analyse the seized evidence and financial links for further connections to wider cybercrime networks.