The Inter-State Cell of the Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled an organized cyber fraud network operating across multiple states, arresting two key accused in separate cases involving digital arrest extortion and large-scale online investment scams.
Police said the action followed a tip-off regarding an interstate cybercrime syndicate that used layered mule bank accounts, fake WhatsApp trading groups, and bogus mobile apps to siphon crores of rupees from victims.
In the first case, a resident of Bank Enclave, New Delhi, was cheated of Rs31.45 lakh after being added to a fraudulent WhatsApp investment group. The victim was persuaded to install a fake trading application named “Cventura” and promised high returns. Following instructions from the group, the complainant transferred money to six different bank accounts. Soon after, the app became non-functional, and the group vanished.
Technical analysis showed the stolen funds were routed through multiple mule accounts. Raids conducted in Punjab and Gujarat led to the arrest of Arjun Singh (39), a resident of Surendranagar, Gujarat, who allegedly operated a second-layer mule account, withdrawing funds and receiving Rs2 lakh as commission. Two of his associates remain at large.
In another case, an NRI woman from the United States was defrauded of Rs30 lakh after fraudsters impersonating embassy and police officials placed her under “virtual arrest” via threatening video calls. She was coerced into transferring money to a partnership firm account in Punjab.
Subsequent raids in Mohali and Chandigarh resulted in the arrest of Varun, a partner in the firm and the first-layer account holder.
Police confirmed that the investigation has uncovered a sophisticated cyber fraud network involving digital arrest scams, fake trading platforms, and rapid fund diversion. Several electronic devices, bank cards, and documents have been seized, while efforts continue to trace the remaining suspects and identify additional victims.
