LUCKNOW, March 19 -- In a major breakthrough against cyber fraud, Mirzapur district police in Uttar Pradesh have busted an interstate racket involved in collecting, refurbishing and supplying old mobile phones to cybercrime networks, arresting eight accused and recovering over 11,600 devices worth nearly Rs.1 crore, senior police officials said in a press note shared by state police headquarters on Thursday.

On Thursday, director general of police Rajeev Krishna announced a Rs.1 lakh cash reward for the police team and commended its efforts.

Officials said the crackdown was carried out by a joint team of Lalganj police station and the SOG/surveillance unit near Tendui toll plaza of Mirzapur district on the night of March 16. The accused...