A 27-year-old chips vendor from Narnaul, Sumit Kumar, found himself at the center of a ₹1.93 crore cyber fraud after being lured into a scheme that offered him a six-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Chandigarh, ₹50,000 in cash, and access to luxuries far removed from his everyday life. Gurugram Police revealed on Friday that Sumit had been used as a “mule” by a cybercrime gang, which utilized his bank account to channel stolen funds from multiple victims across Indian cities, including Gurugram.
Sumit was arrested on Tuesday in connection with an ongoing investigation into a high-value investment fraud. The primary complaint came from a 52-year-old telecom engineer employed by a Finnish company and residing in Gurugram’s Sector 71, who reported a loss of ₹70.26 lakh between April 22 and June 2 after falling prey to an online investment scam. Of this amount, ₹21.33 lakh was traced back to Sumit’s bank account.
Lavish Stay, Gourmet Meals, and Liquor—All in Exchange for Bank Access
According to investigators, the gang orchestrated Sumit’s stay at Hotel Greenland in Chandigarh’s Sector 125 between May 28 and June 3. It was Sumit’s first time staying in a hotel, let alone outside his hometown. Consumed by excitement, he didn’t even note the hotel’s name. His days were filled with indulgence: expensive Chinese meals, desserts post meals, and both Indian and foreign liquor ordered through room service. The gang reportedly spent over ₹55,000 on the entire trip, which served as a cover while they used Sumit’s account for laundering funds.
Once in Chandigarh, Sumit handed over his phone and banking credentials to a key suspect named Mohit. From that point on, Mohit and his associates used the account to move funds across various channels. Despite being kept unaware of the scam’s full scope, Sumit was complicit in providing access to his account, the police said.
“He was promised good food, liquor, and a luxury hotel—all expenses covered. Mohit took possession of his account and phone, and over six days, large sums were routed through the account,” stated Sandeep Kumar, PRO, Gurugram Police.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
₹50,000 Payout for “Renting” His Account; Hunt on for Main Accused
Upon returning to Mahendragarh, Sumit was handed ₹50,000 in cash as compensation for providing his account. Shortly after, Mohit disappeared, leaving Sumit behind to face the legal fallout. The police have since seized Sumit’s phone and two SIM cards linked to the transactions.
Sumit was placed under a two-day police remand for interrogation, during which he disclosed names and details of others involved in the operation, including Mohit. Police believe Mohit is a key operative in the syndicate and are currently conducting raids to track him and his accomplices down.
Authorities have reiterated that while Sumit may not have understood the magnitude of the operation, his willful sharing of personal banking access makes him an accessory to the crime. Investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are expected as the cyber fraud network unravels.
