In a significant crackdown on organized cybercrime, the Delhi Police has successfully dismantled an interstate fraud network, leading to the arrest of four individuals. The arrests are connected to two separate high-value cases: a sophisticated online investment scam and a disturbing 'digital arrest' fraud targeting a US citizen.
Laxmi Nagar Investment Fraud: Rs 31.45 Lakh Swindled
The first case unfolded in the Laxmi Nagar area of east Delhi, where a resident fell victim to a meticulously planned fake investment scheme. The fraudsters operated through a social media group, where they persuaded the complainant to install a specific trading application with promises of exceptionally high returns.
Once convinced, the victim was instructed to transfer money to six different bank accounts. After a total of Rs 31.45 lakh was transferred, the group vanished, and the trading app abruptly stopped functioning. Police investigation revealed that the stolen funds were quickly moved through a series of mule accounts to obscure the money trail.
Following the digital footprints, police teams conducted raids in Ludhiana and Khanna in Punjab, leading to the arrest of two individuals who were the first-layer account holders. In a further breakthrough, Arjun Singh (39) from Surendranagar, Gujarat, was apprehended on December 27. Singh was allegedly operating a second-layer account and had earned a commission of Rs 2 lakh for his role, as confirmed by DCP (Crime) Aditya Gautam.
US Citizen Targeted in Coercive Digital Arrest Scam
The second case highlights the audacious reach of modern cybercriminals. A US citizen filed a complaint stating she was digitally arrested by fraudsters impersonating officials from the US Embassy and the Delhi Police.
The victim reported receiving threatening calls where the imposters coerced her into transferring a massive sum of Rs 30 lakh under the guise of resolving a fabricated legal issue. The cybercrime unit traced the financial trail of this transaction to a firm located in SAS Nagar, Punjab.
Subsequent coordinated raids in Mohali and Chandigarh resulted in the arrest of a man identified as Varun. He was one of the partners in the firm and acted as the first-layer beneficiary of the extorted funds.
A Warning and Continued Vigilance
These arrests underscore the complex, multi-layered operations of interstate cyber fraud networks that exploit digital platforms and psychological manipulation. The police have emphasized the use of mule bank accounts as a critical component for laundering stolen money, making financial tracing a challenging task.
The cases serve as a stark reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited investment offers on social media and to be wary of any calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement or government officials demanding money. Authorities continue to investigate the broader networks involved in both scams.
