Delhi Police Cracks Down on Interstate Cyber Fraud Syndicate
In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police has successfully dismantled an interstate cyber fraud racket, leading to the arrest of four individuals involved in a sophisticated banking scam. The operation, which culminated on Saturday, targeted a gang that exploited bank customers through deceptive KYC (Know Your Customer) update requests, causing substantial financial harm to numerous victims.
Modus Operandi of the Fraudulent Gang
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel, the accused employed a well-orchestrated strategy to defraud unsuspecting bank customers. The gang members impersonated bank officials, creating a false sense of urgency regarding KYC updates to manipulate their targets. Victims were coerced into installing malicious APK files on their mobile devices, which granted the fraudsters unauthorized access to sensitive banking applications and personal credentials.
The case came to light following a complaint filed by A. Ahmad, a resident of Sagarpur in Delhi. On December 13, 2025, Ahmad reported receiving fraudulent calls and WhatsApp messages from individuals posing as bank representatives. After clicking on a malicious link provided by the scammers, her banking details were compromised, leading to unauthorized financial transactions.
Financial Impact and Investigation Details
The investigation revealed that the fraud resulted in severe financial losses for the victims. In Ahmad's case, an unauthorized loan of Rs 8.33 lakh was processed on her Axis Bank credit card, followed by illegal debit transactions amounting to Rs 8.30 lakh. This highlights the devastating consequences of such cyber fraud schemes on individuals' financial security.
Police identified the arrested accused as Shiv Kumar Ravidas (22), Sanjay Ravidas (33), Dinesh Ravidas (29), and Shubham Kumar Barnwal (25). The gang operated primarily from Jharkhand and West Bengal, frequently changing locations to evade law enforcement. Coordinated raids led to the apprehension of three accused from open fields in the Nirsa area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, while they were actively calling potential victims. The fourth accused was later arrested from Hooghly, West Bengal.
Roles and Recoveries in the Fraud Operation
Questioning of the accused uncovered their specific roles within the syndicate:
- Shiv Kumar Ravidas was responsible for procuring malicious APK files and managing mule bank accounts.
- Sanjay and Dinesh Ravidas contacted victims and handled compromised bank accounts.
- Shiv Kumar and Shubham Barnwal facilitated cash withdrawals through ATMs and POS machines.
During the operation, police recovered substantial evidence, including:
- 10 mobile phones
- 13 SIM cards
- Malicious APK files
- WhatsApp chats
- Excel sheets containing bank details
- Transaction records
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Cyber South-West police station in Delhi. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify additional victims and uncover wider network links associated with this cyber fraud syndicate. This crackdown serves as a crucial reminder for bank customers to remain vigilant against unsolicited KYC update requests and to verify the authenticity of such communications directly with their financial institutions.
The arrest of these four individuals marks a significant step in combating cybercrime in India, particularly in regions like Jharkhand and West Bengal, which have seen a rise in such fraudulent activities. Delhi Police's technical investigation and coordinated efforts have demonstrated the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and public awareness in preventing financial fraud.
