New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police has dismantled a sophisticated international cybercrime organization by apprehending nine individuals allegedly engaged in extensive online fraud and money laundering activities, as disclosed by an official on Saturday.

The arrests were executed following targeted intelligence received on November 26, which indicated that a cyber-fraud group was functioning from a hotel in Dwarka, New Delhi, utilizing multiple bank accounts to funnel illegal funds.

In a prompt response, an IFSO team raided the hotel, capturing four suspects.

They were identified as Sultan Salim Shaikh, Sayed Ahmad Choudhary, Satish Kumar, and Tushar Maliya.

Upon interrogation, the suspects disclosed that they had been supplying bank accounts for cyber-fraud as per instructions from other syndicate members, frequently relocating to escape law enforcement.

Further investigation led to the capture of five additional suspects—Shivam, Sunil, Parbhu Dayal, Tarun Sharma, and Suresh Kumar Kumawat—from Delhi, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

Authorities stated that a significant bank account established by Sultan Salim Shaikh with Axis Bank had been exclusively utilized for fraudulent transactions.

This account, opened with an initial deposit of Rs 25,421, documented 10,423 transactions from November 21 to November 26, amounting to a staggering total of Rs 5.24 crore.

Shaikh purportedly opened the account at the behest of another accomplice in exchange for a 25 percent commission and was also provided with a new mobile device for coordination.

"The inquiry prima facie confirmed that the accused were part of an organized cyber-fraud syndicate, with the mentioned bank account being exclusively used for fraudulent endeavors," stated the Delhi Police in a press release.

Investigators noted that the syndicate functioned through a well-structured network comprising account holders, intermediaries, and end-users.

Bank accounts were acquired and sold to cyber-fraud operators in return for commission, while proceeds were laundered via hawala channels and cryptocurrency transactions, particularly USDT.

A search of the suspects' premises resulted in the seizure of 12 mobile phones containing incriminating messages, along with cheque books, debit cards, bank documents, and a notice from Bengaluru Police.

A case has been filed under Sections 112 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Special Cell police station. Authorities indicated that further raids and digital forensic investigations are ongoing to identify hawala operators and masterminds, including individuals based overseas.

“The IFSO Unit of the Delhi Police is dedicated to tackling cybercrime, ensuring the protection of victims, and taking prompt and decisive measures against cyber-fraudsters,” remarked DCP (IFSO) Vinit Kumar.