Delhi Police have arrested nine people allegedly linked to cyber fraud and cyber-mule syndicates operating across the country. Police received 34 complaints against the suspects, who are accused of defrauding victims of more than ₹15.71 crore.
The investigation also revealed the suspects’ links to individuals based in Qatar and alleged assistance from cybercriminals operating out of Dubai. The accused were arrested in Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Punjab.
The case came to light after a resident of Palam Colony filed a complaint, stating that he had been added to a social media group promoting investment opportunities. He was then persuaded to invest money through a fake trading app, resulting in financial losses.
How the fraud came to light
The accused introduced themselves as market analysts and investment experts. They convinced the victim to invest by showing fake trading profits.
The victim initially deposited ₹4.82 lakh into various bank accounts. To gain his trust, the accused allowed him to withdraw a small amount.
They later asked him to deposit an additional ₹7.81 lakh, claiming it was required for an IPO allotment. Suspecting that he had been defrauded, the victim filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at the Cyber Police Station in Delhi’s South-West district.
Tracing the accused began from Maharashtra
The investigation team examined the financial transactions and digital evidence. Their links were found connected to several states, and the investigation first reached Maharashtra.
Subsequently, Shoaib Dilawar Syed was arrested from Nandurbar. Incriminating chats and digital evidence were found during the examination of his mobile phone.
According to the police, Shoaib had gone to Kerala with four other people. There, allegedly, business entities were created and current accounts were opened.
4 accused arrested from Surat
Siddiqui Mahamadsiddiq Mufidbhai, Sheikh Riyazuddin Imtiaz, Hamza Humayu, and Kamalshah Kadirshah were arrested from Surat, Gujarat.
The officer stated that these individuals opened and operated shell companies. They provided their current accounts to transfer the money obtained from cybercrime.
Police arrested Jamaluddin Faisal and Muzamil Thaib from Kerala. Sarabjit Singh and Sonia Sharma were apprehended from Punjab.
These two are allegedly accused of handling mule bank accounts and legitimizing cyber fraud money by transferring it to different accounts.
Investigation into Qatar and Dubai connection
According to the police, during interrogation, Jamaluddin revealed that he came into contact with people involved in the cyber fraud network while living in Qatar.
Another suspected key coordinator, Sam alias Sameer, is accused of operating the network from Dubai. The roles of Sam, Riya, and Farhaj, who are based abroad, are being investigated.
Police stated that the role of a bank employee is also currently under investigation.
Fraud by showing profit on fake app
This network used to target people through investment learning groups operating on social media. Subsequently, fake profit figures were shown in fake trading apps.
When victims tried to withdraw money, they were asked for money in the name of tax, brokerage, IPO charges, verification fees, or margin.
Subsequently, the amount was sent through multiple layers via current accounts of shell companies.
Accounts linked to 34 complaints, 8 phones recovered
Accounts linked to the network were found to be related to 34 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. In these complaints, the defrauded amount was ₹15.71 crore.
Officials stated that 7 cases of fraud amounting to approximately ₹2.70 crore registered in Delhi have been uncovered after these arrests.
Police have recovered 8 mobile phones. These contain chat records, banking records, KYC documents, account opening forms, and transaction details.
Police said that Jamaluddin Faisal, a resident of Kasaragod, Kerala, has also surfaced in 2 previous cases. One of these cases is under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the other is related to stalking.
