Criminals are going high-tech! In a unique case that proves that thieves are relying on modern-day technology to get through with their heists, police have dismantled a sophisticated criminal gang that used Google Maps as a primary tool to scout and target affluent homes. The gang is linked to a string of burglaries across the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, turning the world’s most popular navigation app into a digital reconnaissance system for doing the crime.
The breakthrough came in the case following a recent heist in the Golmuri area of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, where a local resident, Rishabh Kumar, reported a major theft on September 19.
How Google Maps helped with robbery
Unlike traditional burglars who might walk the streets to identify targets, this tech-savvy trio of a gang operated with a more calculated approach. The gang used Google Maps Satellite View to identify large residential properties in posh localities across multiple cities. They specifically looked for houses with visible entry points, such as balconies or terraces, and those located near easy escape routes or main roads. After identifying a target digitally, the gang would travel from their base in Patna, Bihar, to the target city.
Once the theft was committed, they would flee the state immediately to evade local police jurisdictions.
Police eventually cracked the case
East Singhbhum Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Piyush Pandey revealed that a special investigation team analysed the CCTV footage, technical analysis, and intelligence inputs to track the suspects back to Patna.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Vikas Kumar (27), Raju Kumar (49), and Mohammad Irfan (26). During the raid, police recovered stolen gold ornaments, a firearm and two live cartridges, and specialized tools used for breaking into high-security locks.
The gang has confessed to at least six major burglaries across the three states in recent months, though investigators believe the actual number could be even higher.
This incident follows a host of similar cases in 2025 where criminals have leveraged technology to enhance their “efficiency.” From using Google Street View to check for high-end security cameras to monitoring social media check-ins for keeping an eye on families away on vacation, the digital footprint of homeowners is increasingly being weaponised.
Cybersecurity experts recommend that residents consider blurring their homes on Google Street View (via the “Report a Problem” feature) to prevent criminals from getting a 360-degree look at their property’s vulnerabilities.
