Delhi Police bust pan-India spiritual healing cyber scam, 2 held from Mohali
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police's Cyber Police Station has dismantled an organised pan-India cyber fraud network in which two accused allegedly swindled emotionally vulnerable individuals by impersonating spiritual healers through fake female social media profiles, officials confirmed on Friday, 22 May. The arrested individuals — Ganesh and Mandeep Singh, both aged 21 and residents of Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan — were apprehended from a rented flat in Kharar, Mohali district, Punjab.
How the Scam Operated
The duo allegedly ran fake Instagram and Facebook accounts under fabricated identities including 'Zaynab Khan', 'Muskan Khan', 'Kavita Chaudhary', 'Zara Khan', and 'Islam Wzifa'. These profiles actively posted invented success stories and testimonials, claiming that a 'powerful spiritual healer' could resolve issues related to love affairs, marriages, and family disputes through rituals and tantra practices.
Once a victim reached out, the accused allegedly shifted communication to WhatsApp, posed as spiritual healers, and emotionally manipulated targets into disclosing personal problems. They then demanded money in instalments — ostensibly for pooja, tantra vidhya, spiritual remedies, and ritual materials — all under the banner 'All Problems Solutions'.
The Complaint That Cracked the Case
The investigation was triggered by an e-FIR filed at the Cyber Police Station, Central District, under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complainant alleged he was repeatedly persuaded to transfer funds for special rituals, ultimately remitting ₹2.51 lakh across six separate transactions.
Police subsequently found that the accused had allegedly interacted with more than 2,000 people across India through their fake online identities — indicating a far wider victim pool than the initial complaint suggested.
The Investigation and Arrest
A police team led by Sub-Inspector Gaurav Singh, along with Head Constables Kranti, Heeral Lal, and Bharat Singh, operated under the supervision of Inspector Yograj Dalal, Station House Officer of the Cyber Police Station, and the ACP Operations of Central District. The team conducted detailed technical analysis covering WhatsApp numbers, Instagram accounts, login sessions, IP addresses, and digital footprints, alongside scrutiny of financial transaction trails.
The technical and manual investigation led police to the accused's hideout in Mohali, where a raid resulted in their arrest. Investigators recovered five smartphones from the accused, which allegedly contained fake social media accounts, WhatsApp accounts configured as 'All Problems Solutions', incriminating chats, QR codes, and photographs.
Profile of the Accused
Ganesh is currently enrolled in a B.A. programme through distance education. Mandeep Singh holds an ITI qualification in Diesel Engine Mechanic as well as a B.A. degree. Both are first-time offenders as per available information.
What Happens Next
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District) Rohit Rajbir Singh stated that investigation is ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate, trace the complete money trail, and establish the total amount defrauded from victims across the country. Given that the accused allegedly contacted over 2,000 individuals, the eventual financial scale of the fraud could significantly exceed the confirmed figure. Authorities are expected to issue advisories urging citizens to verify the credentials of anyone offering spiritual or healing services online.