Assam STF Busts Financial Fraud Network with Suspected Pakistan Intelligence Links
GUWAHATI: The Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) has dismantled a sophisticated financial fraud syndicate involved in laundering proceeds from online scams through a web of “mule” bank accounts. Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the racket, which authorities now suspect may have ties to Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).
The breakthrough followed an investigation initiated by the Sonitpur Police, prompted by intelligence inputs provided by central agencies, including the Military Intelligence (MI) unit based in Tezpur.
Uncovering the Money Trail
The investigation initially centered on an SBI bank account belonging to a Guwahati resident, Marjina Begum. Scrutiny of the account’s activity between June 22 and August 5, 2026, revealed a high volume of suspicious transactions. Large sums of money were frequently deposited only to be withdrawn in quick succession, a classic pattern indicative of a financial conduit used for routing illicit funds.
Acting on these findings, the STF launched a multi-day operation. The trail first led to the arrest of Mofijul Haque (22) and Himangshu Das (19) on October 28. Further intelligence-led raids across Guwahati resulted in the subsequent detention of Rakib Hussain (34) on October 29, followed by the arrests of Iftar Hussain (25) and Arman Azuz Hoque (20) on October 30.
Electronic Evidence Seized
During the coordinated crackdown, the STF—assisted by the Guwahati City Police—seized a significant cache of evidence. Investigators recovered numerous mobile phones, high-end laptops, bank passbooks, ATM cards, and various financial documents. Preliminary analysis suggests these items were central to the operation of the mule accounts, which allowed the syndicate to bypass standard security filters.
National Security Concerns
While the scale of the fraud is still being quantified, officials estimate that the network has been active for nearly two years, laundering funds that could total several crores of rupees.
Beyond the financial crime, the STF is delving into the potentially dangerous implications of the network’s external connections. A primary focus of the ongoing investigation is the suspected involvement of a key handler based outside of Assam who is believed to have directed the group’s activities. Crucially, authorities are examining the nature of the alleged links to Pakistan Intelligence Operatives to determine if the financial network was being used to fund or facilitate anti-national activities within Indian territory.
“We are currently tracking the money trail and identifying other compromised bank accounts connected to this operation,” a senior police official stated. The STF continues to interrogate the six arrested suspects as the probe expands into the broader, cross-state dimensions of the syndicate. Further arrests are anticipated as the department works to uncover the full extent of the operation’s reach.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
