New Delhi | In a major crackdown on organised cybercrime, Delhi Police have arrested eight individuals in two separate cases for their alleged role in supplying mule bank accounts and corporate accounts to cyber fraud syndicates. These accounts were used to route, layer and withdraw money obtained through online scams, making detection and recovery difficult. Police officials said the racket was being operated through social media platforms and messaging apps, with proceeds of crime circulated across multiple accounts to evade tracking.
First case traced to work-from-home job fraud
The first case came to light after a resident of Malka Ganj in north Delhi lodged a complaint stating that he had been cheated through a work-from-home job offer circulated on social media. According to the complaint, the victim was initially paid small amounts for completing online tasks, which helped build trust. He was later added to an online channel and asked to transfer money for “paid tasks”.
Believing the scheme to be genuine, the complainant transferred around ₹93,000 to multiple bank accounts. Communication soon stopped thereafter, and the victim realised he had been defrauded. A case was subsequently registered, triggering a detailed investigation.
Police said the probe revealed that the cheated money was routed through mule bank accounts. Based on technical analysis of call detail records (CDRs), IMEI data and bank transaction trails, teams identified and arrested Himanshu Sharma, Chatra Abhijeet Lamba and Sahil Joshi, all residents of Rajasthan.
Accused supplied SIM cards and net banking access
According to investigators, the three accused were part of a larger network that supplied bank accounts along with SIM cards and net banking credentials to cyber fraud operators. In return, they allegedly received commissions ranging from ₹7,000 to ₹25,000 per account.
Raids conducted in Jaipur and Alwar led to their arrest. Police said the accused acted as intermediaries between account holders and cybercrime handlers, enabling quick disposal of stolen funds.
Second case involved use of corporate bank accounts
In a separate case, Delhi Police arrested five more accused—Mannu (23) from Burari, Ajay (25) from Khari Bawli, Aniket (22) and Ganesh Rathi (25) from Loni in Ghaziabad, and Parveen (22) from Begumpur. These individuals are accused of not only offering their own bank accounts but also arranging mule and corporate bank accounts for routing fraud proceeds.
Police said these accounts were used to layer transactions, with money moved through multiple accounts before being withdrawn in cash, thereby obscuring the original source.
NCRP analysis revealed common transaction routes
The investigation gained momentum after analysis of complaints received on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Officers found that funds from several unrelated cyber fraud cases were being routed through a common set of bank accounts, including one account held at a public sector bank branch in Burari.
Investigators said the accused coordinated with handlers using social media platforms, and withdrawals were made through ATMs and cheques after sufficient layering to reduce traceability.
Digital evidence seized, wider probe underway
During searches and raids, police seized six mobile phones, six SIM cards and other digital evidence. Officials said the seized devices are expected to provide leads on other members of the network and their handlers, possibly operating from outside Delhi.
The police are also examining whether the racket had interstate or national-level links, and whether more bank accounts and shell entities were used to launder cyber fraud proceeds.
