New Delhi: The Delhi Police have dismantled a major interstate cyber fraud syndicate involved in an investment scam exceeding ₹16 crore, arresting nine accused in a coordinated, multi-state operation. The accused were apprehended from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, officials said on Thursday.
According to the police, the syndicate targeted victims through social media platforms, enticing them with promises of high and assured returns on investments. The case came to light on September 12, when a victim approached the police alleging that he had been cheated after transferring substantial sums to accounts linked to the fraudsters.
Social Media Lure, then Financial Deception
Investigators said the complainant was initially contacted online and persuaded to invest in what were projected as lucrative and low-risk opportunities. After transferring money in phases, the victim attempted to withdraw the funds but found all communication channels blocked, realising he had been defrauded.
Following the complaint, the police initiated a detailed technical investigation, including analysis of digital transactions and tracking of the money trail. Officers discovered that the defrauded amounts were deliberately routed through multiple bank accounts, a tactic used to conceal the origin of funds and evade detection by law enforcement agencies.
286 Linked Complaints Nationwide
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sharad Bhaskar Darade said that transaction screenshots provided by the complainant proved crucial in mapping the network. The analysis revealed that the beneficiary bank accounts were linked to 286 separate complaints registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
“These accounts were not associated with a single incident but with losses reported by victims across the country,” a senior officer said. “This clearly established the existence of a large, organised cyber fraud operation with nationwide reach.”
The scale of the complaints indicated multi-crore losses suffered by unsuspecting investors, many of whom were drawn in by professional-looking online profiles and carefully scripted communication.
Arrest in Kerala Exposes Wider Network
The investigation identified two major bank accounts held in the name of Shoukath Ali, a resident of Mangaluru, Karnataka, through which suspicious transactions amounting to approximately ₹10.87 crore were routed. The mobile number linked to these accounts was also registered in Ali’s name.
A police raid in Kerala led to Ali’s arrest. Subsequent interrogation, supported by digital evidence, exposed the interstate nature of the syndicate and revealed international links extending to Dubai, where key handlers were allegedly based.
Following these findings, the Delhi Police formed three special teams and conducted simultaneous raids across multiple states, resulting in the arrest of all nine accused involved in various roles within the network.
Overseas Handlers, Domestic ‘Money Mules’
Police officials said the syndicate operated through a structured and hierarchical module. Certain members were tasked with recruiting agents and opening bank accounts in their names. These individuals, often referred to as “money mules,” were provided accommodation and logistical support, while their accounts were remotely operated using mobile banking applications.
The primary handlers, operating from outside India, controlled the movement of funds. Money was frequently rotated through several accounts in quick succession to avoid scrutiny and complicate financial tracking.
Seizures and Accused Identified
During the operation, police seized 11 mobile phones, SIM cards, ATM cards, passbooks, cheque books, and other incriminating materials. Those arrested include Babu Pynadath of Ernakulam, Kerala; Anthonies Babu, also from Ernakulam; Devender Pandey alias Shivam, Durav Raj Mishra, and Mohd Adnan Raza alias Billa from Uttar Pradesh; Farooq from New Delhi; Amma Gunta Kavitha from Andhra Pradesh; and K V Shiva Yogi from Karnataka.
The Delhi Police said further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the overseas masterminds and to determine whether additional bank accounts and victims are involved.
Officials described the crackdown as a significant breakthrough in combating investment-related cyber fraud, warning the public to remain cautious of unsolicited online investment offers promising guaranteed returns.
