New Delhi. Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an organised cyber fraud syndicate that allegedly cheated businessmen and suppliers by impersonating senior officials of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Four accused have been arrested so far, while raids are continuing to trace other members of the network, which police suspect was being operated from Haryana’s Mewat region.
Fake Air Force Order Used to Target Businessman
The case came to light after a businessman approached the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch with a complaint of cyber fraud. According to the complaint, he received what appeared to be an official purchase order issued in the name of the Indian Air Force for the supply of “Aluminous Laterite (Industrial Grade 40-45%).”
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The documents allegedly carried forged seals, letterheads and official formats, making the transaction appear genuine. Believing the order to be authentic, the businessman began preparations for supply. The accused then allegedly claimed that his company was not listed as an authorised vendor and demanded money for vendor registration, account mapping and security processing formalities.
SIM Cards and Bank Accounts Traced to Mewat Link
The complainant transferred money in multiple transactions to bank accounts provided by the accused and lost ₹5,06,415. Suspicion arose when further payment demands continued even after the initial transfers. The businessman later verified the documents independently and found that the procurement process was fake.
During investigation, police analysed mobile numbers and bank accounts used in the fraud. Investigators found that the SIM cards had been issued from Bulandshahr and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, but were being operated from Nuh district in Haryana’s Mewat region.
Four Accused Arrested, Wider Network Under Probe
The arrested accused have been identified as Manish, Kaushal, Amir alias Burhan and Rizwan Ahmed. Police said the accused allegedly procured SIM cards and bank accounts in the names of different individuals to hide the identities of the actual operators.
Investigators found that nearly 30 SIM cards were allegedly supplied at around ₹1,500 each and six bank accounts at approximately ₹6,000 per account to associates involved in cyber fraud. These accounts were used to receive money from victims and move funds through multiple channels.
Police said the gang used social media platforms, online business directories and industrial networking portals to identify potential targets. Businessmen were allegedly approached with forged government emails, fabricated procurement documents, fake seals and digitally created official communication formats. Investigators suspect the syndicate may have links across multiple states, and efforts are underway to identify more victims and remaining members of the network.
