Delhi: In a significant breakthrough, the Cyber Police Station of North District, Delhi, has successfully dismantled an interstate cyber fraud gang that duped unsuspecting individuals under the guise of offering part-time jobs. The operation, sparked by the complaint of a 32-year-old fashion designing student who lost ₹90,800, has led to the arrest of four individuals and exposed a wider web of digital deceit spanning multiple states.
Complaint and Modus Operandi
The case came to light when a woman residing in Subzi Mandi, Delhi, reported to Cyber Police that she had been swindled after responding to a part-time job offer received via WhatsApp. The offer promised earnings for rating hotels and restaurants. Initially, small payments were credited to her account after completing simple tasks, which built her trust.
She was then added to a Telegram group where a woman posing as a coordinator persuaded her to invest more money to unlock higher earnings. The complainant transferred a total of ₹90,800 over multiple transactions to various bank accounts. However, when further demands were made and no returns were received, she realized she had been conned and lodged a formal complaint.
Investigation and Crackdown
A dedicated team led by Sub-Inspector Arvind Yadav, including Head Constables Mohit, Himanshu, and Vinit, under the supervision of Inspector Rohit Gahlot and ACP Ratan Pal, initiated an in-depth investigation. The team meticulously analyzed call detail records of nearly 100 mobile numbers and traced complex money trails through multiple bank accounts. Access logs from various e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Zomato, and Bluedart were also examined as part of the operation.
The probe revealed that the accused frequently changed their locations to evade arrest. However, sustained digital surveillance helped police track them to Haryana and Rajasthan. The team covered over 1,800 km during three days of continuous raids.
On June 20, two accused, Anshul Kumar (20) and Sandeep (19), were apprehended from Sonipat, Haryana. Their interrogation led to the identification and subsequent arrest of two more suspects — Rajender alias Raju (23) and Ravindra Beda alias Rakesh (20) — from Indra Colony, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on June 22.
Uncovering Cyber Network
The investigation revealed that Anshul and Sandeep had sold bank accounts to Ravindra and Rajender for a 2% cut of the deposited amounts. These accounts were later transferred to other members of the syndicate, including Vijay Kumar alias Vicky Bishnoi, a relative of Rajender, in exchange for a 3% commission.
The accused used sophisticated techniques to cover their tracks. Rajender operated phones without SIM cards, relying instead on WiFi and hotspots, and communicated only through encrypted apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. They also systematically deleted chats to erase evidence of their crimes.
Further probing led to the discovery of 15 other complaints linked to the same fraudulent accounts through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), suggesting the gang was operating a large-scale fraud network targeting individuals across states.
Recovery and Seizures
The police recovered the following items from the accused:
- Four mobile phones
- Five SIM cards
- Two passbooks
- ₹30,000 held in one of the accused’s bank accounts, now frozen
Forensic analysis of the seized digital devices is underway, with authorities hoping to uncover additional victims and financial trails. The accused reportedly converted part of the scammed money into USDT, a cryptocurrency, further complicating the financial trace.
The Bigger Picture
This case has brought to light the emerging trend of using social media and encrypted messaging platforms for large-scale cyber frauds. The gang’s method of luring victims with initial payments and then demanding higher investments under false pretenses is a common scam model proliferating online.
Officials urge the public to remain cautious while engaging with job offers received on messaging apps. “Any opportunity that promises high returns for little work should raise red flags. Verify the legitimacy before transferring any funds,” said a police official familiar with the case.
The investigation continues as the cyber police work to trace other members of the racket and uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations. Authorities are also coordinating with cyber cells in other states to build a pan-India crackdown against similar fraudulent networks.
This operation highlights the growing capabilities of cyber policing units in tracking and apprehending tech-savvy criminals, as well as the urgent need for enhanced public awareness regarding cybercrime prevention.
