Delhi cyber police bust ₹1.56 crore online investment fraud, arrest two from UP
Synopsis
A Delhi woman lost ₹21 lakh to a Telegram stock-tip scam — and the money trail led police across state lines to two UP men running mule bank accounts at the centre of a ₹1.56 crore fraud network. The arrests expose a well-worn playbook: fake investment groups, high-return promises, and an abrupt block once the victim tries to cash out.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police's Shahdara Cyber Unit busted an online investment fraud racket linked to transactions of approximately ₹1.56 crore .
Two accused — Mohd Sadik, 32 , of Moradabad and Javed Ansari, 34 , of Amroha — were arrested following raids in Uttar Pradesh .
A GTB Enclave woman filed the complaint after losing ₹21 lakh to fraudsters on Telegram posing as investment experts.
The accused allegedly operated mule bank accounts to layer and conceal proceeds of cyber fraud.
Evidence recovered includes two mobile phones , WhatsApp chats, bank credentials, and financial records.
Investigators suspect a wider inter-state cyber fraud network ; further arrests are anticipated.
The Cyber Police Station of Delhi Police's Shahdara District has dismantled an online investment fraud racket linked to transactions worth approximately ₹1.56 crore, arresting two men from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly operating mule bank accounts used to route and conceal proceeds of cyber fraud. The arrests, made following raids in Amroha and Moradabad, mark a significant strike against what investigators describe as a wider inter-state cybercrime network.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The case stems from a complaint filed by a woman resident of GTB Enclave, Delhi, who alleged she was cheated out of ₹21 lakh through an online investment scam. In April 2026, she encountered a Telegram advertisement promoting stock market investment opportunities with promises of high returns.
After joining the group, fraudsters posing as investment experts persuaded her to transfer money in multiple instalments. When she attempted to withdraw her returns, she was denied access and subsequently blocked from all communication channels — a classic exit-scam pattern seen repeatedly in Telegram-based investment fraud operations across India.
The FIR and Investigation Team
The case was registered as e-FIR No. 90/26, dated 9 April, under Sections 318(4)/319/340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at PS Cyber, Shahdara. A dedicated team was constituted under senior supervision, comprising Inspector Ashwani Kumar and Head Constables Dhanesh, Anuj, Vikas, and Mahipal.
Acting on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, the team conducted coordinated raids across Amroha and Moradabad districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Who Was Arrested
Police arrested Mohd Sadik, 32, of Moradabad and Javed Ansari, 34, of Amroha. During interrogation, both accused reportedly admitted to knowingly providing and operating bank accounts used in cyber fraud activities. They were in regular contact with associates via WhatsApp, who used these accounts to commit online investment scams and layer illicit funds.
Investigators said these accounts functioned as classic mule accounts — designed to layer transactions and obscure the money trail from enforcement agencies.
Evidence Recovered
Police recovered two mobile phones used in the offence, along with WhatsApp chat records, bank account credentials, and financial documents. Several other digital devices and incriminating material were also seized during the raids.
What Comes Next
Preliminary investigation has indicated the involvement of a broader inter-state cyber fraud network. Further investigation is underway to trace remaining accused, map the complete money trail, and pursue recovery of the cheated amount. The case reflects a growing trend of Telegram-facilitated investment scams targeting urban Indians — a pattern that has drawn repeated advisories from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Point of View
A fake expert community, and a hard block the moment withdrawal is requested. What makes it noteworthy is the inter-state mule account infrastructure: the accused in UP were not the architects of the scam but its financial plumbing, and that layer is often the hardest to trace. Delhi Police's cross-state coordination is a positive signal, but the deeper network — whoever operated the Telegram group and controlled the final fund flow — remains at large. Until those principals are reached, busting mule operators, while necessary, addresses the symptom rather than the source.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Delhi online investment fraud case about?
Delhi Police's Shahdara Cyber Unit busted an online investment fraud racket linked to transactions of approximately ₹1.56 crore. The fraud involved fraudsters on Telegram posing as investment experts and inducing victims to transfer money with promises of high stock market returns, only to block them when they tried to withdraw funds.
Who were the two persons arrested in the Delhi cyber fraud case?
The two arrested are Mohd Sadik, 32, a resident of Moradabad, and Javed Ansari, 34, a resident of Amroha — both in Uttar Pradesh. They were allegedly operating mule bank accounts used to receive and layer the proceeds of cyber fraud.
How much money did the complainant lose in the Telegram investment scam?
The complainant, a woman resident of GTB Enclave in Delhi, allegedly lost ₹21 lakh. She was lured through a Telegram group promoting high-return stock market investments and was blocked from all communication channels when she attempted to withdraw her returns.
What are mule bank accounts and why do cyber fraudsters use them?
Mule bank accounts are bank accounts operated by individuals who knowingly allow criminals to route illicit funds through them, making it harder for investigators to trace the money back to the original fraudster. In this case, the accused allegedly provided and managed such accounts to layer and conceal proceeds of online investment scams.
Is a wider network involved in the Delhi cyber fraud case?
Yes, preliminary investigation has indicated the involvement of a broader inter-state cyber fraud network. Police are continuing to trace remaining accused, map the full money trail, and work toward recovering the cheated amount.
