The Cyber police in Kozhikode city have identified a new group of suspects believed to be in contact with criminal networks involved in digital arrest scams, marking a significant step in the ongoing State-wide crackdown on cybercrime. According to sources, special squads are currently on the field tracing these individuals using digital evidence collected from various platforms, including device extractions, bank transaction trails and communication logs.
The intensified action follows the State’s ‘Operation Cy-Hunt’, launched to dismantle organised cyber-fraud networks operating both within and outside Kerala. The investigation is mainly focused on tracking the gangs behind 85 online investment fraud cases previously registered in the city, including those linked to digital arrest scams.
Officers with the special squads said the Kozhikode Cyber Police Station team has arrested about 20 key suspects involved in major cybercrimes over the past 11 months, in addition to those nabbed during Operation Cy-Hunt. This includes three youths recently picked up from Pantheerankavu in connection with a ₹25-crore investment fraud targeting a resident of Ernakulam district. With the support of local police, efforts are also under way to gather further details about the links of over 25 individuals nabbed from Kozhikode district during the Cy-Hunt drive. Some of them have already been served notices to appear before the investigating officer.
“Operation Cy-Hunt resulted in the arrest of 284 suspects across Kerala, based on detailed data provided by national enforcement agencies and the national cybercrime reporting portal. The special drive had information on 2,683 persons statewide,” said an Inspector who participated in the searches in Kozhikode district. He added that 439 First Information Reports were registered as part of the operation.
Amid repeated instances of cyber fraud, the police have urged the public to avoid risky online transactions using unsafe mobile applications or unsecured Wi-Fi connections. Suspected frauds should be reported immediately through the helpline 1930 or the official portal www.cybercrime.gov.in, they said.
Published – December 01, 2025 08:06 pm IST
