Delhi Police Cracks Down on Cybercrime: 5 Major Syndicates Busted in West District
In a significant crackdown on digital crime, the Delhi Police has successfully dismantled five major cyber fraud syndicates operating in the capital's west district. The operation, which resulted in 20 worked-out cyber fraud cases, has uncovered financial losses amounting to a staggering ₹4.8 crore. Law enforcement authorities have managed to secure a lien on ₹1.6 crore of these illicit funds, while ₹39 lakh has already been reverted to the victims through court orders, providing some relief to those affected by these sophisticated scams.
Massive Arrests and Inter-State Networks Exposed
Speaking about the extensive operations conducted last month, DCP (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar revealed that police have arrested 55 accused individuals and traced multiple inter-state cyber fraud networks. These criminal operations spanned across state borders, highlighting the organized nature of digital fraud in India today. The meticulous investigation has shed light on the complex methodologies employed by these syndicates to deceive innocent citizens.
Sophisticated "Digital Arrest" Scam Targets Senior Citizen
One of the most alarming cases involved a "digital arrest" fraud that specifically targeted a senior citizen and retired central government employee. The victim was cheated of ₹15 lakh by accused individuals who allegedly posed as law enforcement and government officials. The fraudsters utilized illegally issued SIM cards that were later converted into e-SIMs, with QR codes of these e-SIMs being shared with foreign-based operators. These compromised numbers were then used to contact and intimidate the victim. Police have made three arrests in connection with this particularly distressing case.
Investment Scams and Fake Trading Platforms Uncovered
The police investigation revealed multiple financial fraud schemes operating simultaneously:
- WhatsApp Investment Scam: In one case, fraudsters cheated victims of ₹14.3 lakh through an investment scam where people were added to WhatsApp groups promoting investment schemes promising unrealistically high returns. The illicit funds were routed through mule bank accounts procured and operated by the accused on a commission basis. Three people were arrested for their alleged involvement in this fraud.
- Fake Online Trading Fraud: Police also worked out a ₹25 lakh fake online trading fraud linked to Maharashtra, where victims were induced to invest through fraudulent trading platforms showing false profit data. The funds were transferred through multiple bank accounts used on commission, and two individuals were arrested in this case.
E-commerce Fraud and Cryptocurrency-Based Scams
The cybercrime crackdown extended to various other fraudulent activities:
- Fake Furniture Delivery Platform: In a separate case, a complainant was cheated of ₹1 lakh through a fake online furniture delivery platform. After victims made advance payments, the accused simply stopped responding. Police have made four arrests in this e-commerce fraud case.
- Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud: The fifth major case involved an investment fraud of ₹24.8 lakh, where the accused allegedly used USDT and other cryptocurrency-based methods to rotate and transfer funds. Investigators painstakingly traced the money trail through bank accounts and digital wallets, resulting in three arrests.
Comprehensive Investigation and Recovery Efforts
The Delhi Police's cyber cell employed advanced digital forensic techniques to track the complex financial trails across multiple banking channels and digital payment platforms. The successful recovery of significant portions of the defrauded amounts demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts against increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals. The operations highlight the growing threat of digital fraud in urban centers and the importance of public awareness about various cybercrime modus operandi.
