Delhi: Did the Cyber Cell Uncover a Rs 5 Crore Cyber Fraud Syndicate?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Significant crackdown on cyber fraud in India.
- Discovery of a Rs 5 crore cryptocurrency trail.
- Key fraudsters arrested across multiple states.
- Legal actions against masterminds of fraud schemes.
- Collaboration among law enforcement agencies is crucial.
New Delhi, Nov 10 (NationPress) In a significant operation targeting organized cyber-related financial crimes, the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police Crime Branch has disbanded several nationwide fraud syndicates engaged in “Digital Arrest” and “Investment Fraud” schemes, as reported by the Delhi Police on Monday.
Coordinated raids across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand resulted in the apprehension of key figures and the discovery of a Rs 5 crore cryptocurrency trail linked to handlers based in Dubai.
Authorities identified Atul Sharma from Kurukshetra, Haryana, as a pivotal player in an investment scam orchestrated by Dubai-based handler, Sumit Garg.
Utilizing technical intelligence and analysis of e-commerce data, law enforcement seized multiple mobile devices, SIM cards, laptops, and banking documents during a raid in Gurugram. Investigators tracked three cryptocurrency wallets containing approximately 552,944 USDT (around Rs 5 crore).
In a parallel investigation, Rahul Manda from Hisar, Haryana, was apprehended in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, for his involvement in a “Digital Arrest” fraud that resulted in a victim being defrauded of Rs 30 lakh.
Manda, a previous convict in a culpable homicide case, had been supplying mule accounts to cybercriminals.
In Punjab, 35-year-old Varun Anchal, also known as Lucky, was arrested in Jalandhar for impersonating law enforcement officers to extort money, having prior arrests for similar offenses in both Punjab and Haryana.
Amit Kumar Singh from Saran, Bihar, an ex-bank employee, was detained for providing bank accounts utilized to misappropriate Rs 39.5 lakh in an investment scam.
Additionally, the Supreme Court revoked the bail of Lakshay Nanda from Ludhiana, a mastermind behind fraudulent investment platforms that deceived victims of Rs 48.35 lakh.
The authorities stated, “Nanda was one of the principal architects behind these fake investment platforms. The Cyber Cell’s adept legal coordination and evidence presentation were crucial for the bail cancellation.”
This operation was carried out by a dedicated team led by Insp Sandeep Singh and Insp Ashok Kumar, including SI Rakesh Malik, SI Jagseer, HC Mohit Malik, and other officials, as noted by DCP Aditya Gautam.
In total, various digital devices, fraudulent companies, mule accounts, and a Scorpio-N SUV were confiscated.