Delhi Police Dismantles Interstate Cyber Fraud Network, Four Arrested
Cyber Fraud Network Busted
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New Delhi, Aug 21: The Cyber Police Station in the South-West District of Delhi has successfully dismantled an interstate network involved in sophisticated cyber fraud schemes, arresting four individuals from Punjab and Rajasthan, as reported by authorities on Friday.
This operation was initiated following a complaint from a retired Colonel of the Indian Army residing in Munirka Enclave, New Delhi, who fell victim to a scam that cost him Rs 15.50 lakh, perpetrated by fraudsters impersonating police and government officials.
According to police reports, the arrested individuals served as facilitators for cyber fraud syndicates, acquiring and supplying mule and current bank accounts that were utilized to funnel the proceeds from these cybercrimes. Investigations have uncovered connections between this network and cyber fraud operators located in Cambodia and the UAE, including Dubai.
The bank account linked to this case has been associated with 17 complaints filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) across various states and union territories, involving fraudulent transactions totaling several crores of rupees.
The victim received a call on April 15, where the caller falsely claimed that his phone line would be disconnected on the orders of the Maharashtra Police, instructing him to contact another number.
Upon calling the new number, a fraudster impersonating a police officer informed the retired Colonel that his personal information had been misused to open an illegal bank account in Mumbai, which was allegedly tied to money laundering, investment fraud, and terrorist financing.
To lend credibility to their claims, the fraudsters sent the victim several forged documents, including a fake arrest warrant from the Enforcement Directorate, purported court documents, an anticipatory bail document, and fabricated communications supposedly issued by the Bombay High Court and the Reserve Bank of India.
The victim and his wife were subjected to a form of digital arrest, with the fraudsters applying continuous psychological pressure and monitoring their communications.
Under duress, the victim disclosed details about his assets and was coerced into transferring Rs 15.50 lakh based on false instructions purportedly from the RBI communicated by the fraudsters.
Following the complaint, an E-FIR No. 165/26 was registered on April 19 under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Cyber Police Station, South-West District, prompting an investigation.
A specialized team, including Sub Inspector Sombir and Head Constable Jitender, was formed under the guidance of Inspector Pravesh Kaushik, the SHO of the Cyber Police Station, and the overall supervision of ACP/OPS Sandeep Ghai.
The investigation employed a comprehensive strategy, including tracing money trails, examining beneficiary accounts, analyzing digital footprints, and conducting technical surveillance.
During the investigation, the Rs 15.50 lakh was traced back to a current bank account in Ludhiana owned by Sarbjit, one of the accused.
Sarbjit revealed during questioning that he had sold his current account to another suspect, Suraj, who had met Sarbjit through Sandeep, an employee at the bank that provided the account.
Further inquiries indicated that Suraj had transferred the account to Naresh, alias Lucky, whom he contacted via Telegram.
Police reported that Sarbjit, Suraj, and Sandeep traveled to Jaipur to hand over the account kit to Naresh, who subsequently made it available to the cyber fraud syndicate.
Following these leads, police conducted a raid in Rajasthan and apprehended Naresh, alias Lucky. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted to acquiring current bank accounts from Suraj via Telegram and supplying them to fraud operators in Cambodia and the UAE, including Dubai.
The investigation has revealed a network connecting local bank account holders and domestic intermediaries with cyber fraud operators abroad.
Analysis of the beneficiary account and NCRP records uncovered links to 17 complaints from various states and union territories involving fraudulent transactions worth several crores.
Authorities stated that the findings suggest the accused were part of a larger, organized network involved in procuring and supplying mule and current accounts to cyber fraud syndicates, rather than engaging in isolated transactions.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sarbjit, 38, from Ludhiana; Suraj, 30, also from Ludhiana; Sandeep, 32, a Ludhiana resident working at the bank; and Naresh, alias Lucky, from Sikar in Rajasthan.
Police noted that Sarbjit was the account holder into which the fraudulent funds were transferred and allegedly handed it over for use by cyber fraudsters through an intermediary chain.
Suraj acted as an intermediary, obtaining current accounts and passing them to network members. He allegedly contacted Naresh through Telegram to supply the account and related materials.
Sandeep, employed at the bank, reportedly utilized his banking knowledge and professional connections to facilitate the acquisition of current accounts and link account providers with individuals seeking accounts for cyber fraud.
Naresh procured accounts from Suraj and served as a conduit between domestic account suppliers and cyber fraud operators in Cambodia and the UAE, supplying mule accounts to the overseas syndicate.
The police investigation uncovered a structured, commission-based model for acquiring mule accounts, where individuals willing to relinquish their current bank accounts were incentivized to do so in exchange for a commission.
These accounts were then passed through a network of intermediaries before allegedly being supplied to fraud syndicates operating internationally. These accounts were utilized to receive and route the proceeds of cybercrimes committed against victims nationwide, according to police.
Authorities recovered four mobile phones and six SIM cards used in the commission of cyber offenses from the suspects.
Further investigations are ongoing.