In a breakthrough in cyber fraud investigations, the Faridabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested Bhupesh Arora, a 39-year-old hotelier and nightclub operator based in Dubai, for allegedly defrauding a Faridabad resident of ₹2.02 crore. The crime was carried out in partnership with a Chinese-linked cybercrime syndicate, according to police officials.
Arora, who hails from Karnal and resides in Rohini Sector 11, Delhi, operates a four-star hotel and eight nightclubs in Dubai. He was arrested on Wednesday after returning to India on the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and has been remanded to four days in police custody.
Cyber Fraud Fronted by Hospitality Ventures
The accused and his Dubai-based business partner allegedly combined their legitimate hospitality ventures with illegal cyber operations. Police say the duo exploited Indian payment gateways to facilitate fund transfers from cyber frauds, which were then routed abroad. After skimming off a 30% commission, the laundered amounts were allegedly converted to cryptocurrency and passed on to Chinese handlers.
According to Faridabad police spokesperson Yashpal Yadav, the key breakthrough in the case came from a digital transaction trail. “We traced a ₹2.8 lakh transfer to a payment gateway account linked to Arora. This led us directly to him. The account holder for the beneficiary bank account remains unidentified and may have used forged documents,” Yadav added.
Victim Duped by Fake Investment Ads on Social Media
The victim, a 51-year-old resident of Sector 88 in Faridabad, was allegedly lured into the scam through advertisements on social media platforms promoting high-return investment opportunities. Believing he was investing in legitimate stock market schemes, the victim transferred ₹2.02 crore across 11 different bank accounts in January 2024.
Police have so far arrested 12 individuals in connection with the case, including Arora. An estimated ₹60 lakh has been recovered and returned to the victim, while the rest is believed to have been laundered outside India.
Investigators are now pursuing Arora’s Dubai-based partner and three other associates. “We will issue a Lookout Circular (LOC) against his partner to ensure arrest upon his arrival in India,” Yadav confirmed.
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High Court Directive Led to Accused’s Return
Arora’s return to India was compelled after the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed a lookout circular (LOC) issued against him—on the condition that he would join the ongoing investigation. His arrest marks a critical moment in Faridabad police’s efforts to unravel a deeper cybercrime network with cross-border links.
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber frauds involving global money laundering operations and fake investment schemes, with law enforcement agencies ramping up efforts to track and prosecute perpetrators operating from overseas havens like Dubai.