New Delhi: Cybercriminals allegedly posing as officers of the Delhi Police Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) used fear and intimidation to target victims. However, surveillance and technical investigations by the Delhi Police have helped uncover several links in the network. The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police has busted an alleged cyber fraud syndicate linked to foreign operatives based in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries, arresting 11 accused. DCP IFSO Gaurav Tyagi said that ₹7.25 crore was secured in a digital arrest case, while ₹1.96 crore in accounts held with HDFC Bank and the State Bank of India (SBI) was frozen.
69-Year-Old Retired Scientist Targeted
The investigation began after a complaint by Pradeep Kumar Das, a former senior scientist with the Ministry of Information Technology. According to the complaint, on August 14, 2026, fraudsters called him while posing as officers of the Delhi Police Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency.
They allegedly fabricated a story claiming that his Aadhaar card had been used in a money laundering case and threatened him with arrest. Under the pretext of verifying his funds, they allegedly persuaded him to transfer ₹1,25,09,000 to three bank accounts. The accused also allegedly maintained continuous video contact with him to monitor and control his movements.
Dwarka Flat Helps Uncover Cyber Fraud Network
During the investigation, police received information about suspicious activities at Mahamaya Apartments near Ramphal Chowk in Dwarka. Several people were suspected of gathering there to operate a bank account.
Acting on the information, a police team apprehended five accused. The investigation revealed that an HDFC Bank account in the name of M.R. Traders was allegedly being used to route proceeds from cyber fraud.
According to the police, suspicious messages, Telegram conversations and an application called “SMS Tools” were found on the accused persons’ mobile phones. The application is suspected of being used to automatically forward messages and one-time passwords (OTPs) to other individuals. These findings strengthened suspicions of coordination between foreign operatives and their Indian associates.
5.5% Commission and Cryptocurrency Transactions
Investigators have identified Anish Khan as an alleged key operator in the network. Police claim that he was in contact with foreign associates through Telegram and played a role in operating bank accounts.
He allegedly received a commission of 5.5%, which was paid in cryptocurrency and subsequently converted into Indian rupees.
The other accused are suspected of helping arrange bank accounts, introducing individuals, organising accommodation and meals, and facilitating the distribution of funds.
₹10.25 Crore Fraud in Andhra Pradesh; ₹7.25 Crore Secured
According to the police, a 79-year-old complainant in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, was allegedly defrauded of ₹10.25 crore in a digital arrest scam. Coordinated action helped secure or freeze ₹7.25 crore of the amount.
Another case involving an alleged investment fraud of ₹21 lakh was reported in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, where the victim was reportedly lured by promises of high returns. An investigation is also underway into an alleged digital arrest fraud involving ₹77 lakh in Delhi.
78 Complaints Linked to Transactions Worth ₹73 Crore
The IFSO unit has recovered six mobile phones, a bank account cheque book and digital evidence. According to the police, bank accounts were allegedly being bought and sold through seven Telegram channels.
Analysis of WhatsApp and Telegram conversations revealed suspected links to 78 complaints from different states, involving a total amount of approximately ₹73 crore.
The operation was conducted by a team led by Inspector Satish Kumar under the overall supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Tyagi and the monitoring of Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivekanand Jha. The team included Sub-Inspector Brijesh, Head Constables Manoj Kumar, Rajesh, Deepak, Pawan and Dharmendra, and Constable Shekhar Chandra.
Police are now tracing the flow of funds, investigating foreign connections and working to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
DCP Gaurav Tyagi warned the public that genuine police officers or investigating agencies do not declare people arrested over video calls or force them to transfer money. He advised people not to panic or send money if they receive such calls and to immediately report the incident to the cybercrime helpline at 1930.
