New Delhi | November 24, 2025: The Delhi Police have busted a multi-layered cybercrime syndicate that posed as investment consultants on social media to lure victims with promises of high returns. The network allegedly misused the name of a Mumbai-based NBFC to make the schemes appear legitimate. Four men — Anas Ansari, Mohammad Kaif, Akib and Mohammad Danish — have been arrested in the case.
According to the police, the racket came to light after a Delhi-based woman lost nearly ₹6 crore to the fraud. Following her complaint, the Cyber Prevention Team uncovered a sophisticated laundering chain spanning multiple states and digital channels.
Fake ‘consultants’ on Facebook: The pitch begins with attractive offers
Investigators said the accused operated Facebook pages and profiles masquerading as licensed investment advisers. They approached users with assurances of lucrative earnings through “stock market strategies, crypto opportunities and NBFC-backed schemes”. A senior police officer said,
“They projected themselves as certified advisers. Initially, they offered victims small, quick returns on low investment amounts to build trust. Once the victims were confident, they pushed them towards larger transactions. By the time the scam became apparent, substantial sums had already been diverted to accounts controlled by the network.”
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A web of 33 mule accounts: Funds layered through multiple channels
The investigation revealed that the syndicate used 33 bank accounts to circulate and conceal the stolen funds. These accounts were identified as mule accounts, controlled by the accused to obscure transaction trails.
Their role, officers said, was to operate these accounts, divide the money into multiple layers, and eventually transmit it to a handler based in Dubai. Police believe the four arrested men acted as the Indian operational arm of the foreign ringleader.
VoIP calls, crypto wallets and chat apps: Leads point to overseas links
Police stated that the syndicate functioned with a high degree of coordination. Communication with the foreign handler occurred through VoIP calls, encrypted chat platforms and crypto-wallet alerts, making the trail harder to trace.
“Digital archives recovered during the probe indicate that this is not a standalone group but part of a larger syndicate with hubs in India and the Gulf region,” an officer involved in the investigation said.
Roles of the arrested accused
Anas Ansari — Front-end operator responsible for posing as an investment adviser on Facebook and other platforms.
Mohammad Kaif — Managed banking layers and handled mule account operations.
Akib — Conducted verification calls and coordinated document exchanges with victims.
Mohammad Danish — Oversaw final transfers and routed funds to the Dubai-based network.
Police advisory: “Be cautious of investment advice circulating on social media”
The Delhi Police have urged citizens to exercise caution and avoid trusting investment claims made over social media platforms.
“Only rely on RBI-registered and licensed financial entities. Fraudsters now operate sophisticated digital fronts, often mimicking real institutions,” an official cautioned.
They added that more arrests are likely as information from victims and digital evidence is still being analysed. The investigation into the international money flow and the identity of the Dubai-based handler is ongoing.
