The Central Bureau of Investigation has apprehended Harnek Singh at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport following his deportation from the United States, bringing back an accused who had allegedly evaded investigation and trial in a Singapore-linked cyber fraud case for more than a decade.
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How Did the Singapore Scam Operate?
The alleged fraud dates to 2013 and targeted Indian nationals living or working in Singapore. Fraudsters operating from India allegedly made spoofed calls while impersonating officials of Singapore Immigration authorities.
The victims were threatened with deportation and falsely told that they had submitted incorrect airport arrival cards and faced legal prosecution. To resolve the purported offences, they were allegedly asked to pay settlement fees.
Victims transferred the money through Western Union to recipients in India. Singh allegedly managed a money-transfer business along with co-accused Aditya Bhardwaj and Deepak Jain to receive the defrauded funds.
The CBI registered the case in 2016 on allegations involving criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and fraudulent use of fabricated records under the Indian Penal Code, along with violations under the Information Technology Act.
Singh Remained Absconding for Over a Decade
Singh fled India in May 2013 and later entered the United States illegally, where he remained absconding for more than a decade.
While Singh remained outside India, the trial of Bhardwaj and Jain concluded before the Special Judicial Magistrate (CBI Cases) in Panchkula. Both were convicted on May 26, 2025.
Singh did not appear before the trial court despite summons and a bailable warrant being served on him in the US through the US Department of Justice. The Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI, Panchkula, subsequently issued an open-dated non-bailable warrant against him on April 22, 2024.
Investigators widened the effort to trace him internationally. An Interpol Red Notice was secured and a Look-Out Circular was issued against his passport.
CBI Takes Singh Into Custody at Delhi Airport
Following Singh’s removal from the United States, CBI officials took him into custody at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on September 9.
He now faces court proceedings in India. The agency plans to produce him before the Special Judicial Magistrate (CBI Cases) in Panchkula, Haryana, at the earliest opportunity.
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