New Delhi: Delhi Police has busted a major multi-state cyber fraud network and arrested six people allegedly involved in routing cheated money through multiple bank accounts and shell firms. According to police, the network has been linked to 89 complaints involving approximately ₹83.23 crore in alleged fraud. Timely legal action also helped authorities freeze around ₹1.14 crore connected to the racket.
The arrested accused have been identified as Chetan Sehrawat, Shakti Gurjar, Dharmender Kumar, Tarun, Deepak and Gaurav Kadian. Police said Chetan Sehrawat was allegedly the main handler of the network, while the other accused worked under his direction in different roles. The gang allegedly opened bank accounts and firms under different names to receive, transfer and withdraw money obtained through cyber fraud.
The investigation began following an FIR registered at Dwarka North police station. A suspicious bank account was detected through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Police found that the account had received cheated money linked to cyber fraud complaints registered in Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Investigators subsequently examined the account’s transactions and the individuals associated with it.
The probe revealed that the gang allegedly opened mule bank accounts by offering unsuspecting people jobs or salary payments. These accounts were subsequently used to move cheated money from one account to another. By routing funds through multiple accounts, the accused allegedly attempted to make it difficult for investigators to trace the original source of the money and identify the ultimate beneficiaries.
Police also recovered documents linked to several bank accounts and firms allegedly used by the network. Investigators are examining these records to determine how many accounts and companies were created or used by the gang and how the cheated money was moved through different layers of the financial network.
According to police, Sehrawat allegedly fled to Thailand after the FIR was registered and later moved to Dubai. A Look-Out Circular (LOC) was subsequently issued against him. He was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Another accused, Tarun, allegedly attempted to flee to Dubai and was detained at Mumbai International Airport with the help of an LOC.
During the operation, police seized 12 mobile phones, 109 cheque books, bank account documents, company registration papers, PAN cards and other identity documents, along with cash deposit slips. The seized material is being examined to establish the wider structure of the alleged racket and identify other people who may have been involved in opening accounts, establishing firms or transferring the proceeds of fraud.
Police are also investigating a possible cryptocurrency angle. Investigators suspect that money obtained through cyber fraud may have been routed through bank accounts and shell firms before potentially being transferred through digital assets. However, the cryptocurrency-related aspect remains under investigation, and the exact nature and extent of its use will become clear only after further examination of the financial and digital evidence.
Cybercrime experts say mule accounts are often a critical component of organized cyber fraud networks. Criminal groups may lure people with promises of jobs, commissions, salaries or easy income and use their identity documents to open or operate bank accounts. Once fraudulent funds enter these accounts, the money can be moved through several layers of transactions, making it harder for investigators to trace the principal operators.
The investigation is now being expanded on the basis of questioning of the arrested accused and examination of the seized documents. Police are working to identify additional members of the network, bank accounts, firms and financial channels allegedly connected to the racket. With 89 complaints involving approximately ₹83.23 crore already linked to the operation, investigators are also examining whether the network targeted victims in other states and whether the cheated money was transferred through additional financial or digital channels.
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About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
