Delhi Police Cracks Down on International Cyber Fraud Syndicate
In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police has uncovered a sophisticated international cyber fraud operation that targeted an NRI doctor couple from Greater Kailash-II, swindling them of nearly Rs 15 crore. The investigation has led to the arrest of eight individuals across multiple states, revealing links to scammers based in Cambodia and Nepal.
Details of the Digital Arrest Scam
The victims, 77-year-old Dr Indra Taneja and her 81-year-old husband Dr Om Taneja, were subjected to a "digital arrest" from December 24 to January 9. During this period, fraudsters posing as police officials falsely claimed that over 20 complaints had been filed against the couple for circulating obscene videos and money laundering. Under duress, the couple transferred substantial sums to eight different bank accounts.
Recent Arrests and Suspect Profiles
In the latest crackdown, five fresh arrests were made across three states, bringing the total number of arrests to eight. The newly apprehended individuals are:
- Mahavir Sharma, 27, arrested from Bhubaneswar
- Ankit Mishra, 25, arrested from Vadodara
- Bhupender Kumar Mishra, 37, arrested from Lucknow
- Pradyuman Tiwari, 44, arrested from Varanasi
- Aadesh Kumar Singh, 36, arrested from Lucknow
Police investigations reveal that all suspects acted as facilitators, creating and operating mule bank accounts to channel illicit funds on behalf of the international cyber syndicate. Their educational backgrounds vary, with some holding degrees such as BCom and MBA, while others work in roles like private data entry or tuition provision.
Earlier Arrests and Modus Operandi
A special team led by ACP PC Khanduri under DCP (IFSO) Vinit Kumar had earlier arrested three accused:
- Patel Divyang from Vadodara, who opened a mule account receiving about Rs 4 crore
- Shitole Krutik from Vadodara, an IT diploma holder who acted as a facilitator
- Arun Kumar Tiwari from Prayagraj, who provided another mule account routing Rs 2 crore
These arrests highlight the organized nature of the scam, with suspects leveraging financial and technical expertise to execute the fraud.
International Connections and Police Action
The probe has established that the accused were linked to scammers operating from Cambodia and Nepal, indicating a cross-border cybercrime network. Delhi Police's coordinated efforts across states like Odisha, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh have been crucial in dismantling this ring, emphasizing the growing threat of international digital fraud and the need for vigilant law enforcement.
