NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has arrested two men for their alleged involvement in a digital arrest cyber fraud case involving approximately Rs 2.10 crore cheated from a resident of Janakpuri. The arrested individuals, identified as 36-year-old Sonu Khan and 38-year-old Arjun Chaudhary, are suspected of facilitating the movement of the fraud proceeds by operating and controlling mule bank accounts. Police recovered four mobile phones, six debit cards, and 10 cheque books during the operation, with investigators now working to trace the complete money trail and identify additional operatives in the network.
Investigation Uncovers Mule Account Network
The fraud came to light during a scrutiny of complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Investigators tracking fraudulent financial activity observed that a bank account based in Yamuna Vihar, northeast Delhi, had received an unauthorized deposit of Rs 98,592 on October 12.
Subsequent inquiries linked this transaction to an ongoing investigation by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit of the Delhi Police concerning the Janakpuri fraud. Cybercrime investigators identified the Yamuna Vihar facility as a mule account, a mechanism routinely deployed by criminal syndicates to route illicit capital through layered transfers, effectively obscuring the primary beneficiaries and origin of stolen funds.
Raids Lead to Arrests in Ashok Nagar
Acting on intelligence regarding the account operations, police traced Khan to a disposable goods shop located in Ashok Nagar on October 23. A search of the premises led to his arrest alongside the seizure of three mobile phones, debit cards, and cheque books.
During questioning, Khan revealed that Chaudhary had financed the establishment of the shop in return for obtaining operational control over Khan’s personal bank accounts. Investigators believe these accounts were subsequently used to channel money stolen during the scam. Based on statements obtained during Khan’s interrogation, police tracked down Chaudhary, arresting him and confiscating a fourth mobile phone.
Probing the Money Trail and Syndicate Operations
In digital arrest scams, cyber criminals pose as law enforcement or government officials, intimidating victims with fabricated accusations of criminal activity, money laundering, or pending arrest warrants. Victims are forced to remain visible on continuous video calls under the guise of digital surveillance and coerced into transferring funds under the pretext of legal verification or security deposits.
Investigators are currently analyzing the seized electronic devices and banking stationery to determine the precise volume of transactions handled by the two accused, their communication records, and their exact hierarchy within the wider fraud syndicate.
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