How Did Cyber Cell Uncover Links in the Rs 2.35 Crore Online Investment Scam?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cyber Cell's operation highlights the ongoing threat of cybercrime.
- Victims were lured through social media with false promises.
- Arrests made after extensive technical and financial investigations.
- Complete banking kits were used to facilitate fraud.
- Authorities continue to investigate the wider network involved.
New Delhi, Nov 23 (NationPress) In a remarkable operation targeting cyber-enabled financial crimes, the Cyber Cell of the Crime Branch, Delhi Police, has apprehended two suspected facilitators involved in an extensive Rs 2.35 crore online investment scam operating under the guise of 'Stock Market', according to a statement from the Delhi Police on Sunday.
The suspects have been identified as Sajjad Ahmad (35) and Uttam Mandal (40).
This operation was the result of several months of detailed technical tracking, financial assessments, and inter-state collaboration, culminating in a case filed under FIR No. 50/2025 at the Special Cell in Delhi.
The arrested individuals are alleged to have served as professional account providers, acquiring bank accounts from unsuspecting individuals by promising them a share of the profits. They handed over complete banking kits, including cheque books, ATM cards, SIM cards, and login credentials, to cyber fraud operatives. These accounts were subsequently exploited by inter-state syndicates to channel fraudulent funds.
Authorities revealed that the scheme attracted victims via social media platforms, particularly Facebook, by enticing them with promises of lucrative returns on investments in Forex and stock market trading.
Victims were welcomed into fabricated online groups where manipulated dashboards showcased false profits. However, when they sought to withdraw their funds, they encountered refusals, threats, and intricate deception.
Investigators found out that the duo acted as 'professional account providers', acquiring bank accounts from individuals by offering a portion of the profits.
They allegedly gathered comprehensive banking kits and distributed them to cyber fraud handlers who executed the scam from various locations across India.
One current account, registered under the name M/s Chand Electronic, emerged as a pivotal channel for funneling the misappropriated money. Police reported that approximately Rs 20 lakh has been traced through a complex web of mule accounts.
Interrogations indicated that the suspects routinely supplied accounts to inter-state cyber crime syndicates and were fully aware that these channels were being utilized to receive and distribute fraudulent proceeds.
“Ongoing investigations aim to dismantle the entire network behind the 'Stock Market' fraud scheme,” stated DCP Aditya Gautam.