The Delhi Police have dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud network operating across Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The operation led to the arrest of 15 individuals and the uncovering of illicit transactions amounting to over ₹5 crore.
15 Arrested in Multi-State Operation
The investigation commenced on May 24 when a consignment suspected to contain synthetic bank account kits was intercepted in New Ashok Nagar, East Delhi. The kits comprised pre-activated SIM cards, forged bank documents, debit and credit cards linked to fraudulent accounts, and mobile devices designed for real-time transaction control.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aditya Gautam stated that these components were used to create synthetic financial identities, enabling cybercriminals to operate untraceable, modular shadow banking systems.
Initial arrests included three Delhi residents: Ujjawal Pandey, Gaurav Barua, and Yug Sharma. Subsequent interrogations led to raids in the Mundka area, where an illegal call centre involved in fraudulent bank loan schemes was uncovered. Further operations in New Ashok Nagar resulted in additional arrests and the exposure of an organised sextortion racket.
Sextortion and Loan Scams Linked to Synthetic Identity Kits
The sextortion scheme involved perpetrators sending friend requests on Facebook, obtaining victims’ mobile numbers via Messenger, and initiating WhatsApp video calls during which pornographic content was streamed. The victims’ reactions were secretly recorded using screen recording tools and later used to blackmail them under threats of public dissemination.
The cybercrime network’s operations highlight the evolving nature of digital fraud and the use of synthetic identities to facilitate illicit activities. Authorities continue to investigate the extent of the network and urge the public to exercise caution when engaging with unsolicited online communications.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.