In a breakthrough against organised cybercrime, the Delhi Police have dismantled a sophisticated pan-India digital fraud and extortion network involving transactions exceeding ₹50 crore. The multi-state crackdown led to the arrest of a Kerala-based mastermind and nine associates, with investigators confirming that the racket had cross-border digital links and operated through layered financial channels.
The operation was carried out by the Southeast District Police, following months of technical surveillance and financial analysis. Police officials said the network was linked to 61 verified complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), with victims spread across multiple states.
Operations Controlled from Kerala
Senior officers said the syndicate followed a hub-and-spoke model, with strategic control exercised from Kerala, where the principal accused supervised recruitment, coordination and fund movement. Operational units based in Delhi and Mumbai managed technical execution, including phishing infrastructure, impersonation scripts and money laundering logistics.
From these hubs, the gang targeted victims across India using fake identities, impersonating banks, law enforcement agencies and government departments. Victims were coerced through threats of account freezes, legal notices and fabricated criminal cases.
Multi-Layered Fraud and Extortion Mechanism
Investigators revealed that the network used a multi-tiered fraud model combining:
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Phishing links and fake KYC alerts
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Call-based impersonation of police and regulatory authorities
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Digital extortion through threats of arrest or prosecution
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Fake government notices and forged online portals
Victims were pressured to transfer money urgently, after which funds were rapidly moved through mule bank accountsto erase the transaction trail.
Mule Accounts and Rapid Money Laundering
Police said the syndicate relied extensively on mule accounts, opened using forged or misused identity documents. Once money was credited, it was split across multiple accounts within minutes, making real-time detection difficult.
Officials added that some funds were routed through digital wallets and cryptocurrency platforms, indicating attempts to move proceeds beyond India’s banking system.
Seven-State Raids, 10 Arrested
The coordinated raids were conducted simultaneously across seven states:
- Delhi
- Maharashtra (Mumbai)
- Kerala
- Odisha
- Punjab
- Uttar Pradesh
- Haryana
A total of 10 accused, including the kingpin, were arrested. Police described the group as highly structured, with clearly assigned roles to shield leadership from direct exposure.
Key Digital and Financial Evidence Seized
Search operations led to the seizure of:
- Mobile phones and laptops
- SIM cards and digital devices
- Banking documents linked to mule accounts
- Transaction records and communication logs
Forensic analysis of the seized material is underway and is expected to reveal additional victims, facilitators and possible foreign handlers.
Police Statement and Victim Relief
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast District) Hemant Tiwari said the operation reflects the growing capability of cyber units to dismantle complex fraud ecosystems.
“This action shows that cybercriminals cannot hide behind geography or technology. Our priority is to secure evidence, identify every conspirator and ensure justice for all victims,” he said.
Delhi Police confirmed that all 61 NCRP-linked cases will be actively pursued. Banks and financial institutions have been alerted to assist in fund tracing, account freezes and potential recovery of defrauded amounts.
Rising Cybercrime Under Scanner
Officials said the bust comes amid a sharp rise in digital fraud and online extortion cases nationwide. Law enforcement agencies believe dismantling the network has prevented further large-scale losses and disrupted an active fraud ecosystem.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police indicating that more arrests and asset seizures are likely as additional links emerge.
