WATCH: Bank official among five arrested in massive pan-India online scam
Delhi Police Cyber Cell has busted a nationwide cyber fraud racket linked to Dubai, arresting five suspects including a private bank official. The gang created fake firms and bank accounts to launder money from online scams across multiple states.
New Delhi: In a breakthrough against cybercrime, the Delhi Police Crime Branch’s Cyber Cell has dismantled a sprawling online fraud network operating across India and traced its links to Dubai. Five individuals have been arrested, including a relationship manager of a private bank, for their alleged involvement in running the racket.
According to police sources, the syndicate operated under the instructions of an Indian handler based in Dubai, known only by the alias "Tom”. The group created fake companies and opened fraudulent current accounts in various banks to facilitate the circulation and laundering of money obtained through cyber fraud.
Each fake account reportedly earned the perpetrators a commission of around Rs 1.5 lakh.
RBL Bank officer among multiple accused
Those arrested have been identified as Manjeet Singh, Manshvi, Manish Mehra, Sombir and Anup, the latter being a bank officer with RBL Bank. The investigation revealed that the network operated primarily from Noida and Gurugram. Following technical surveillance, police raided a flat in Gurugram on October 27, where three of the suspects were apprehended. Their interrogation led to the arrest of two more individuals, including the bank officer.
The accused played different roles in the operation. Manjeet and Manshvi allegedly established shell companies and opened accounts under false credentials. Sombir maintained financial records and regularly sent updates to the Dubai-based handler. Manish managed transactions using mobile numbers and one-time passwords, while Anup is accused of facilitating the opening of bogus accounts and leaking information about police or National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) complaints.
Three fake companies used to open eight bank accounts
Interrogation further revealed that the group had set up three fake companies through which they opened eight current accounts. The illicit funds were first deposited into these accounts, then transferred to others, and eventually converted into USDT cryptocurrency before being sent overseas.
During the raid, the Cyber Cell seized 18 mobile phones, 36 SIM cards, three debit and credit cards, several bank passbooks and chequebooks, and a laptop containing data on USDT wallets, 274 bank statements and Telegram chat records.
Investigations have so far linked the racket to at least 52 cases of online fraud across 12 states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.
Efforts are now underway to trace the Dubai-based mastermind and other absconding members of the syndicate.