Chennai: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Chennai Police has busted an alleged inter-state cyber fraud network with the arrest of a 35-year-old man from Manipur, who is accused of playing a key role in an online investment fraud racket operating across several states. Police said the accused allegedly used fake mobile applications and disguised himself as an online delivery executive to avoid suspicion while facilitating cyber fraud. Investigators believe the arrest is a significant breakthrough in a wider crackdown on organised digital financial crimes that have cheated victims of crores of rupees.
The arrested accused has been identified as Thounaojam Inaobi Singh, who was apprehended in Bengaluru and later brought to Chennai, where a court remanded him to judicial custody on Monday. According to investigators, Singh allegedly played an active role in siphoning nearly ₹20 lakh from the bank account of a 74-year-old Chennai resident, who was allegedly defrauded of ₹2.79 crore in an online trading scam. Police said the accused was fluent in Hindi, Manipuri and Bengali, enabling him to coordinate with members of the cyber fraud network operating across different states.
During the investigation, police recovered two mobile phones, four SIM cards, 23 debit cards, a passport, nine rental agreements and several other documents from Singh. Authorities said these materials are being examined to identify digital evidence, financial transactions and links with other members of the alleged syndicate. Investigators also seized three mobile phones, a tablet, a cheque book, company seals and additional incriminating documents from other accused persons connected with the network.
Police believe the fraudsters used fake investment platforms and fraudulent mobile applications to lure victims with promises of high returns from online trading. Once victims invested substantial amounts, the accused allegedly diverted the funds through multiple bank accounts, debit cards and digital payment channels in an attempt to conceal the money trail. Investigators are now analysing electronic devices and financial records to determine the complete extent of the alleged operation.
The arrest forms part of a larger operation launched by the Chennai Police Cyber Crime Cell against organised cyber fraud syndicates. In recent coordinated raids conducted across West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, six Special Investigation Teams arrested 14 accused, including four individuals against whom non-bailable warrants were pending. All the arrested accused have since been remanded to judicial custody and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison as further investigation continues.
According to senior police officials, the arrests are linked to eight separate cybercrime cases involving eight victims. The combined financial loss in these cases is estimated at ₹31.10 crore, while the highest loss reported in a single case stands at ₹14.74 crore. Investigators suspect that the accused operated through an organised interstate network that used multiple bank accounts, fake identities and digital infrastructure to facilitate fraudulent financial transactions and evade detection.
Police are continuing to trace the money trail, identify additional beneficiaries and verify whether more victims across India were targeted using similar fraudulent investment platforms. Authorities are also examining the role of mule bank accounts, rented accommodations, communication devices and financial intermediaries allegedly used by the accused to support the cybercrime network.
According to renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh, organised investment fraud networks increasingly operate across multiple states using fake trading platforms, rented bank accounts, digital identities and coordinated communication channels. He said such syndicates exploit public interest in high-return investment opportunities and use sophisticated financial layering techniques to make the proceeds of crime difficult to trace. He advised investors to verify the authenticity of investment platforms through official regulatory authorities, avoid downloading applications from unverified sources and remain cautious of unsolicited trading offers received through social media or messaging platforms.
Police said the investigation remains underway to identify the remaining members of the network, analyse the seized electronic devices and trace the proceeds of crime. Authorities have urged citizens to verify investment platforms carefully, avoid promises of guaranteed returns and immediately report suspicious financial transactions or fraudulent online trading schemes to the cybercrime helpline to prevent further losses.
