New Delhi:
Delhi Police have arrested 11 people for their alleged involvement in a digital arrest scam in which a 69-year-old retired scientist and former director in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology was cheated of Rs 1.25 crore. The investigation has also uncovered suspected links to an international cybercrime network operating through handlers in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries.
The victim, Pradeep Kumar Das, told police that he received a call on August 14 from individuals posing as officials of the Delhi Police, the Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency. They allegedly claimed that his Aadhaar details had been misused in a money-laundering case and threatened to arrest him.
Under the pretext of verifying his funds, the accused allegedly obtained his banking details and induced him to transfer Rs 1,25,09,000 through RTGS to three bank accounts. Police said the victim was also kept under continuous video surveillance and his movements were controlled during the alleged fraud.
An FIR was registered at the Special Cell police station, and the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit launched an investigation to trace the money trail and identify those involved.
During the probe, investigators received information about a group allegedly arranging bank accounts for cybercrime transactions. A police team raided premises near Ramphal Chowk in Dwarka’s Sector 7, where five men were found staying.
The five were identified as Md Mahfuzar Rahman, 41, Izhar Alam, 34, Altaf Hussain, 45, Intekhab, 27, and Anish Khan, 31. Police alleged that they were operating a bank account in the name of M/s MR Traders to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
Examination of seized mobile phones reportedly revealed Telegram chats and a suspicious application called āSMS Toolsā, which investigators suspect was configured to automatically forward SMS messages, including one-time passwords, to cybercrime associates abroad.
Police alleged that Anish Khan acted as the main handler, coordinating with foreign-based associates through Telegram and managing the bank account used for transactions. He allegedly received a commission of 5.5 per cent in USDT, a cryptocurrency, which was subsequently converted into Indian rupees through cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms.
Investigators said Izhar Alam introduced the account holder to Altaf Hussain, who allegedly arranged mule bank accounts through Telegram. Intekhab allegedly coordinated the group’s travel and accommodation in Delhi and kept watch over the account holder during their stay.
Six more people were arrested in connection with the case. They were identified as Neeraj Kumar Mittal, Kanwar Pal, Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir, Prabhat Rai alias Ashutosh and Anil Sagu alias Krishna. Police alleged that they played different roles in providing bank accounts, facilitating transactions and collecting and distributing commissions.
The investigation has also uncovered links to cybercrime cases in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
In a separate case registered in Vijayawada, a 79-year-old man, Boppana Baparao, was allegedly cheated of Rs 10.25 crore through a digital arrest scam. Following intervention and coordination with Andhra Pradesh Police, Rs 7.25 crore was secured or frozen, according to officials.
In another case in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, a complainant was allegedly cheated of Rs 21 lakh on the promise of high returns from an investment. Police said the entire amount was credited to the M/s MR Traders account. Around Rs 5 lakh had been transferred to other accounts before the account was frozen.
The accused were also allegedly linked to a separate digital arrest case registered by Delhi Police in June, in which a complainant lost Rs 77 lakh.
Police seized six mobile phones containing chats, cryptocurrency transaction records and other digital evidence, along with a cheque book linked to the bank account under investigation.
Investigators have identified seven online channels allegedly used for the sale and purchase of mule bank accounts. Analysis of chats and other digital evidence has revealed links to 78 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal across several States, involving a total of Rs 73 crore, officials said.
Further investigation is under way to trace the money trail, identify additional members of the alleged syndicate and establish the role of handlers based abroad.