Himachal Pradesh Police have arrested six accused in connection with five cyber financial fraud cases involving fake investment scams and recovered ₹14.70 lakh during a coordinated multi-state operation. The arrests were made following raids conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Karnataka as part of an extensive investigation into organised cyber fraud networks accused of cheating victims through fraudulent investment schemes. Investigators said the operation focused on tracing beneficiary bank accounts, identifying account holders, and recovering proceeds allegedly linked to cyber fraud.
According to investigators, three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) from the Cyber Crime Police Station, Northern Range, Dharamshala, were deployed across multiple states to identify and dismantle networks involved in cyber-enabled financial crimes. The coordinated operation involved assistance from local police units in the respective states while investigators tracked digital evidence, banking transactions, and account holders allegedly connected with the fraud cases.
One of the major cases under investigation relates to a fake investment fraud of ₹32 lakh reported in May 2026. During the probe, investigators traced the financial trail to Bengaluru and conducted a raid within the jurisdiction of Electronic City Police Station with assistance from the local police. The account holder, identified as Abu Saliya, was apprehended during the operation. Investigators said ₹7 lakh was recovered during the course of the investigation, while further examination of financial records and digital evidence is continuing.
In another case involving an alleged fake investment fraud of ₹8 lakh reported in March 2024, investigators tracked the transaction trail to North Delhi. During the operation, the wife of the accused account holder, identified as Nisha, was apprehended. Police said ₹5 lakh was recovered during the investigation. Officials are continuing to examine bank transactions and digital records to determine the movement of the remaining funds and identify any additional beneficiaries linked to the fraud.
Investigators also made progress in a third major case involving a fake investment fraud of ₹50 lakh reported in December 2025. During the investigation, Raj Kumari, a resident of Agra, was identified and apprehended on July 18 with assistance from the local police. Authorities said ₹2.70 lakh was recovered during the investigation. Officials are analysing the financial trail to establish whether the recovered funds were directly connected to the proceeds of cyber fraud and to identify other individuals who may have participated in the network.
Apart from these three cases, investigators arrested two additional accused account holders from Agra and another account holder from East Delhi in connection with separate fake investment cyber fraud investigations. Police said notices under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were served on the accused after their apprehension. Further investigation is underway to determine the role of each individual and establish links with organised cybercrime syndicates operating across different states.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said fake investment scams have become one of the fastest-growing forms of cyber-enabled financial crime, with fraudsters frequently using social media advertisements, messaging platforms, and fake trading applications to lure victims with promises of unusually high returns. He advised investors to verify the authenticity of investment platforms, avoid transferring money based solely on online advertisements or unsolicited messages, and exercise caution whenever guaranteed or unrealistic returns are promised. He also urged victims of cyber financial fraud to immediately report incidents through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, as prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of tracing transactions and freezing stolen funds.
Police said investigations in all five cases remain ongoing and additional financial records, digital evidence, and transaction trails are being examined to identify other members of the fraud network. Authorities indicated that further arrests and recovery of additional funds may follow if evidence establishes the involvement of more individuals in the organised cyber fraud operations. Public have also been advised to remain vigilant against fake investment schemes circulating on social media and other online platforms that promise quick or guaranteed financial returns.
