According to some estimates, Jamtara accounts for more than 50% of the phishing cases in India, and the annual turnover of the scam is around Rs. 200 crore (about $27 million) The scam has also spread to other parts of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, where Jamtara-based gangs have set up their branches or franchises.
Jamtara: The Netflix Series
The story of Jamtara’s phishing scam has been brought to the screen by Netflix, in a web series titled Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega (Jamtara: Everyone’s Number Will Come). The series, created and directed by Soumendra Padhi and written by Trishant Srivastava, is a fictionalized account of the real-life events, based on extensive research and interviews with the people involved.
The series follows the lives of Sunny and Rocky, two cousins and masterminds of a phishing gang, who run a successful operation from their village in Jamtara. Their fortunes change when they cross paths with Brajesh Bhan, a corrupt local politician who wants a share of their business, and Dolly Sahu, a newly appointed police superintendent who wants to crack down on the scam.
The series also explores the personal and professional struggles of the other characters, such as Gudiya, Sunny’s girlfriend and aspiring politician, Anas, Rocky’s friend and rival, and Biswa, a honest but helpless inspector.
The series has received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the phishing phenomenon, its gripping narrative, its nuanced characters, and its stellar performances. The series has also raised awareness about the issue of cybercrime and its impact on the society.
The series has two seasons, with 10 episodes in the first season and 8 episodes in the second season. The first season was released on Netflix on 10 January 2020, and the second season premiered on 23 September 2022
Jamtara: The Lessons and Challenges
Jamtara is not just a web series, but a mirror of the dark side of India’s digital boom. It exposes the vulnerabilities of the online users, the loopholes of the banking system, the corruption of the political and law enforcement agencies, and the socio-economic factors that drive the young men to resort to crime.
