After two and a half years on the run, cybercrime mastermind Shariful Islam was apprehended.

August 8, Kolkata — Shariful Islam, the suspected mastermind of a string of significant cybercrimes, was apprehended in Kolkata by Morigaon Police in Assam following a protracted manhunt that lasted two and a half years. Islam was finally captured on Thursday in a clandestine operation after eluding authorities since 2022.

According to police sources, Islam played a key role in a number of significant cyber fraud cases in Assam and other northeastern states that involved phishing, banking data theft, and financial deception. In Assam’s continuous battle against the rise in cybercrime, his arrest represents a significant victory.

The operation was led by Morigaon SP Aparna N and involved coordination with Kolkata Police and cyber intelligence units. Authorities tracked Islam’s digital footprint and movements using advanced surveillance tools. He had been using fake IDs and changing locations frequently to avoid detection.

Shariful Islam is currently being transferred to Assam, where he will face multiple charges under the IT Act, IPC, and relevant sections of the BNS. Officials noted that more arrests may follow, as the investigation points to a wider network of cybercriminals connected to Islam’s operations.

SP Aparna N stressed the value of interstate collaboration and digital vigilance in combating cybercrime during a press briefing. She advised people to report questionable online behavior and refrain from disclosing private information to unreliable websites.

Assam’s cybercrime task force, which has been under pressure to crack down on digital fraud after a spike in complaints, is celebrating the arrest as a significant victory.

To ascertain the complete scope of Islam’s operations and collaborators, more research is being conducted.