Six arrested in financial fraud network linked to Pakistani agents

The Special Task Force (STF) of the Assam Police has busted a major organised financial fraud network in Guwahati, suspected to be linked to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO). So far, the police have arrested six individuals in this case. Preliminary investigations have revealed that this network has been involved in defrauding crores of rupees across various parts of the country for the last 2 years using mule bank accounts.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the investigation was initiated based on secret information received from the Gajraj Military Intelligence (MI) in Tezpur. The case originated from a complaint filed last month regarding online financial fraud in Sonitpur district, which was subsequently handed over to the STF for further investigation. During the probe, the STF discovered that large sums of money were being deposited into the bank account of a 28-year-old woman named Marjina Begum, a resident of Guwahati, within short intervals.

As per an NDTV report, Marjina Begum held an account with SBI, in which lakhs of rupees were deposited through multiple transactions between 22 June and 5 August, 2026. The money was being withdrawn immediately after being deposited into this account, indicating a suspicious pattern of financial transactions. Following this trail, the STF reached Mofizul Haque (22) and Himangshu Das (19), residents of Guwahati, who were involved in the suspicious financial transactions linked to Marjina's account.

Preliminary findings suggest that their activities were linked to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO), prompting the agency to launch a deeper investigation into these suspicious connections. An operation was carried out by the STF on 28 October, during which Marjina, Mofizul, and Himangshu were arrested. Mobile phones and criminal documents were recovered from them.

During interrogation, Mofizul and Himangshu disclosed the names of several other individuals associated with this gang, the STF stated. Based on this information, further operations by the STF led to the arrest of three other individuals. The arrested persons include 34-year-old Rakib Hussain, a resident of Ganesh Bargar, 25-year-old Iftar Hussain of Uzan Bazar, and 20-year-old Arman Aziz Hok of Anand Bargar. Rakib was arrested on 29 October, while Iftar and Arman were arrested on 30 October.

During this operation, with the assistance of the Guwahati City Police, the STF seized mobile phones, laptops, electronic gadgets, bank passbooks, ATM cards, and other related documents. Investigations revealed that this financial fraud syndicate had been operating in various parts of the country for approximately 2 years. They were using multiple mule bank accounts to launder money obtained through fraud. According to preliminary findings, crores of rupees have been swindled from victims, although the exact amount is yet to be determined.

The STF suspects that the network was being managed by a main operator based outside Assam, who was directing other members to handle bank accounts and transactions. The agency is now continuing its investigation to identify and arrest the remaining members, trace the movement of the defrauded money, and identify additional mule bank accounts. The STF is also investigating how deep the connection of this network with Pakistan-based intelligence operatives goes and whether other anti-national elements are involved.

These arrests come a few weeks after another espionage-related case in Assam. On 4 October, the STF arrested a resident of Bihar and a retired Indian Army soldier in Guwahati, who were sharing information regarding army movements with a Pakistani Intelligence Operative. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while informing about the arrest of the retired soldier in a press conference, said that he was working on a contract basis with the army after retirement and was sharing all updates regarding the movement of the Indian Army in collusion with another person.

The Special Task Force (STF) of the Assam Police has been working as a special unit to prevent crime and anti-terror activities in the state. This agency was formed to combat various types of crimes, such as espionage, financial fraud, and other security threats.