Patna: The Cyber Crime and Security Unit (CCSU), Bihar busted an interstate cyber fraud racket that allegedly duped people by operating a fake “Bihar Tourism Helicopter Booking” website. Two key accused have been arrested, while the fraudulent website was taken down during the investigation.The case was registered at Patna Cyber Police Station on July 6, 2026, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000. During the probe, investigators found that the accused had created a professionally designed website, bihartourest.com, which falsely projected itself as an official Bihar Tourism helicopter booking portal.The website advertised helicopter services to tourist destinations including Patna, Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodh Gaya, offering online booking facilities, payment options, contact numbers, email IDs and social media links to appear authentic. As a result, several people were allegedly misled into making online payments through the fake portal.Based on the evidence, the team arrested two alleged masterminds of the racket — Munna Paswan, a resident of Barith village in Nalanda district, and Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Maidinipur in Warsaliganj, Nawada district. During the operation, police recovered two smartphones, two keypad mobile phones, a laptop and a diary containing records suspected to be linked to the cyber fraud network.Preliminary interrogation and technical evidence reportedly revealed that both accused had played an active role in creating and operating the fake website. The seized electronic devices and diary were sent for further analysis.During the course of the investigation, the Cyber Crime and Security Unit issued a notice to the domain registrar under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, following which the fake website was deactivated, preventing further fraud.Police said they have identified additional mobile numbers, email addresses, bank accounts and other digital identities linked to the racket, and efforts are underway to trace and arrest other members of the interstate cyber gang.
