New Delhi: In a significant operation, the Delhi Police have dismantled an interstate cyber fraud syndicate with alleged connections to Cambodia, leading to the arrest of eight individuals. The syndicate is accused of defrauding a complainant of approximately ₹24 lakh through an online investment scam.
Cyber Syndicate Busted
The arrested individuals, who include those with educational qualifications such as B.Tech, MBA, and diplomas in cybersecurity, allegedly operated mule bank accounts to funnel funds obtained through fraudulent means to overseas cyber fraudsters. The investigation revealed that the communication channels used in the scam, including WhatsApp numbers, were operated from Cambodia. The fake investment website used in the scheme has since been deactivated.
According to information available with The Chenab Times, the modus operandi involved fraudsters posing as stock market experts on social media platforms. They added potential victims to groups where fabricated screenshots of substantial profits from stock trading were shared to build trust. Once a victim was convinced, they were directed to transfer money into various bank accounts provided by the accused. The fraudsters then continued to demand more money on different pretexts when victims attempted to withdraw their investments and purported profits.
Investigation and Arrests
The case came to light following an e-FIR registered on March 20 at the Cyber Police Station in Southwest Delhi. A dedicated team initiated an investigation, analyzing phone numbers, digital evidence, and money trails. This analysis pointed towards the operation being linked to Cambodia.
The eight accused have been identified as Harmanjot Singh and Qaisar Masoodi from Mohali, Punjab; Abhishek from Panipat, Haryana; Md Zahid and Amir Malik from Delhi’s Jafrabad; Amarjeet Ahirwar and Alok Sharma from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; and Anant Pandey from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. Police conducted coordinated raids across multiple states to apprehend the suspects. Anant Pandey is alleged to have had direct contact with foreign handlers via encrypted WhatsApp communications, acting as a bridge between Indian mule account suppliers and the cyber fraud syndicates operating from Cambodia.
Financial Trail and Recoveries
The investigation indicates that the syndicate operated a network of mule bank accounts, often opened in the names of shell firms across different states, to launder the illicit funds. Initial findings suggest that suspicious transactions amounting to around ₹4.5 crore were detected within a two-week period through these accounts, with over 60 complaints registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) linked to the syndicate’s operations. Police have recovered eight mobile phones, banking documents, commission-sharing records, and other digital evidence from the arrested individuals. The timeline of arrests spanned from late March to late April, highlighting the duration of the operation.
The Chenab Times News Desk