How Did Delhi Cyber Cell Arrest Three Fraudsters In A Rs 42 Lakh Digital Scam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Cyber Cell apprehended three fraudsters for cheating an elderly man of Rs 42 lakh.
- The victim was coerced into providing personal information under false pretenses.
- Authorities recovered Rs 8.49 lakhs from the fraudulent operation.
- The case highlights the importance of awareness regarding cyber fraud.
- Vigilance is essential to protect oneself from such scams.
New Delhi, Oct 7 (NationPress) In a significant operation against cyber criminals, the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested three individuals involved in defrauding an elderly man, a retired government official, of Rs 42 lakh on Tuesday, according to an official statement.
The cyber cell successfully tracked the financial trail utilized by these criminals, revealing how they funneled money through various channels to evade law enforcement.
The victim, who is 80 years old, was tricked into losing approximately Rs 42.49 lakhs through a digital scam, with investigators managing to recover Rs 8.49 lakhs that had been transferred to various bank accounts.
This arrest sheds light on the extensive network of organized cyber fraud and has disrupted important financial routes exploited to deceive citizens. The accused had shared their active bank account details with interstate cyber syndicates, facilitating the diversion and laundering of the victims’ funds.
The retired government employee received fraudulent calls from several WhatsApp numbers, with the callers falsely claiming to be officials from the ED and CBI. The fraudsters asserted they possessed evidence of illegal financial transactions linked to his name and threatened him with dire consequences.
Under pressure, the elderly man submitted clarification letters and personal information. While on continuous calls, the fraudsters extorted his personal details, ultimately draining his life savings.
The interrogated suspects disclosed that they had offered their bank accounts to the syndicate for a fee of Rs 10,000 each.
The primary accused, identified as Mahendra, used his account as a conduit for money laundering.
During questioning, he acknowledged his role as a professional “account provider” for cyber syndicates, having handed over cheque books, ATM cards, SIM cards, and online banking credentials to the operatives.
His account was crucial in the reception, layering, and distribution of illicit funds nationwide, thus protecting the handlers and masterminds behind the cyber syndicate.