Delhi Police have arrested Sarup Khan from Rajasthan for allegedly running an online shopping scam that targeted buyers through fake social media advertisements offering discounted branded ethnic wear, with investigators tracing the operation to a cyber fraud network in Alwar.
Fake Ads Used to Lure Online Buyers
The fraud was built around fake advertisements circulated on social media that promised branded ethnic clothing at heavily discounted prices. Once potential customers showed interest, they were persuaded to transfer money on the pretext of booking and delivery charges.
The case reflects a pattern increasingly seen in online shopping fraud, where the appearance of a limited time discount or attractive branded offer is used to create urgency and lower suspicion. In such schemes, victims often believe they are dealing with a legitimate seller until the payment is made and communication abruptly stops.
Money Collected, Then Contact Broken
Police said that after the funds were transferred, the fraudsters cut off contact with the victims. The investigation found the operation was not an isolated deception but part of a larger and more organised setup.
Technical inquiry led police to Alwar, where they uncovered what was described as a sophisticated cyber fraud network. Investigators also tracked the financial trail and found evidence of mule bank accounts and other deceptive practices being used to handle the money collected from victims.
Trail Leads to Wider Fraud Network
The arrest of Sarup Khan is being treated as a key development because investigators linked him to the operation behind the fake advertisements and the collection of payments. The fraud was structured and coordinated rather than accidental or opportunistic.
Police inquiries into cases of this kind usually focus on digital payment records, communication channels and beneficiary accounts because online shopping scams often operate through temporary profiles, disposable numbers and bank accounts opened or used to mask the real handlers. In this case, Delhi Police said the probe exposed a wider network in Alwar, indicating that the arrest may be part of a broader effort to identify others connected to the racket.
