In a significant crackdown on cyber-enabled financial fraud, the Delhi Police has dismantled a fraudulent call centre operating from South Delhi's Sangam Vihar. The illicit operation, masterminded and run by members of a single family, was allegedly cheating citizens across the country by offering bogus instant online loans.
The Modus Operandi: How the Scam Unfolded
The police action was initiated following a detailed complaint filed on September 3 by a man named Shuaib, a resident of North Delhi's Sadar Bazar. According to his complaint, while searching for legitimate loan options, he received an unsolicited WhatsApp call on August 25 from an unknown number. The caller, posing as a legitimate loan agent, persuaded Shuaib to share his documents and pay an initial ₹2,750 as file processing charges.
Once the payment was secured, the fraudsters falsely confirmed that his loan was sanctioned and would be deposited soon. However, the very next day, they introduced a new condition, informing Shuaib that his loan fell under an 'unsecured' category, requiring a further payment of ₹11,800 for disbursal. This was followed by another demand for ₹6,000 towards stamp duty.
The deceit did not stop there. The scammers continued to contact the victim on various fabricated pretexts, ultimately siphoning off a total of ₹36,050 from him. Investigations revealed that the cheated amount was transferred via UPI to a bank account held in the name of Himanshu Kumar.
The Investigation and Raid
Acting on the complaint, DCP (North) Raja Banthia formed a dedicated team to probe the case. The investigators conducted a meticulous technical analysis, scrutinizing call detail records (CDRs), IMEI data, and following the complex money trail across multiple bank accounts. This digital footprint led them directly to the scam's operational hub.
Based on the gathered evidence, the police team conducted a raid at the identified location in Sangam Vihar on December 11. During the operation, they arrested Suresh Kumar (62), who was identified as a director of this fake call centre.
Family at the Helm of the Fraudulent Scheme
During sustained interrogation, Suresh Kumar disclosed the central role played by his own children in running the scam. He named his sons—Himanshu Kumar, Mohit Kumar, Rohit Kumar—and daughter Madhu Rani as the key individuals operating and managing the daily activities of the fraudulent call centre. All four were absconding at the time of the raid but later presented themselves for investigation. After questioning, they were bound down by the police.
Suresh Kumar further revealed that his son, Himanshu, had been involved in loan and insurance-related work for several years. It was Himanshu who allegedly proposed setting up this illegal call centre. Their business model was simple yet predatory: target individuals in need of quick funds by offering fake loans and insurance services, extracting successive 'processing fees' to earn illegal profits.
The bust highlights the growing menace of cyber financial frauds orchestrated through seemingly professional setups. It serves as a stark reminder for citizens to exercise extreme caution when dealing with unsolicited loan offers, especially those demanding upfront payments. Always verify the credentials of financial agents and institutions through official channels before sharing documents or money.
