In a significant crackdown on international cybercrime, the Delhi Police has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated fraud syndicate with direct links to operatives in Cambodia and suspected Chinese nationals. The operation led to the arrest of ten individuals across multiple states, revealing a network responsible for massive financial losses estimated at a staggering Rs 50 crore to the Indian public.
The Shaheen Bagh Case That Unraveled the Network
The elaborate scam came to the fore after authorities in the national capital received a formal complaint from a businessman residing in South Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. The victim alleged he was cheated of Rs 1 lakh in a sophisticated 'digital arrest' fraud. Following this complaint and acting on crucial intelligence, coordinated raids were swiftly conducted in several states including Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
This pan-India effort resulted in the apprehension of ten men. Police investigations indicate that the syndicate was not a new entity but had been operating successfully for several years, mastering multiple forms of financial cyber deception.
Modus Operandi: Digital Arrests and Fake Investment Traps
Investigators have pieced together the gang's method of operation, which primarily revolved around two major scams: digital arrests and online investment fraud. In the digital arrest scam, fraudsters would impersonate law enforcement officials. In the Shaheen Bagh case, the culprits posed as Karnataka Police officers during WhatsApp video calls, threatening the victim by falsely claiming his Aadhaar and mobile numbers were implicated in serious crimes.
For the investment frauds, the gang lured victims with promises of high returns on online platforms. The police have so far connected this syndicate to 66 formal complaints registered nationwide. This includes eight specific cases of digital arrest fraud and a substantial 43 cases related to investment fraud.
The Cambodia Connection and Chinese Hand
A critical finding of the probe is the syndicate's international linkages. The arrested Indian members were allegedly receiving instructions from Chinese nationals based out of Cambodia, a country identified by central agencies as a major hub for global cyber fraud operations. The Indian Express reported that the syndicate functioned through three distinct chains: fake callers, SIM card providers, and bank account providers, all suspected to be connected to the Cambodia base.
An investigator revealed the complex money trail, stating, "The defrauded money is likely transferred via multiple bank accounts, converted into cryptocurrency, and finally routed to Cambodia via Dubai."
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Dr. Hemant Tiwari provided details on the arrested individuals. The network included mule account holders from Rajasthan and Odisha, who were enticed by the gang to open current bank accounts specifically for channeling the illicit funds. Two individuals from Kerala, Muhammad Shahid T and Muhammad Bugari, have been identified as the India-based masterminds. They were in direct contact with foreign handlers and assigned tasks, coordinated the acquisition of mule accounts, and managed cash withdrawals through associates like Muhammad Ahteshamul Haq and Dharmendra Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh.
This bust highlights the evolving and transnational nature of cyber threats targeting Indian citizens, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and sophisticated investigative coordination to combat such organized digital crime rings.
