In a sensational breach of trust and duty, Sub-Inspector Ankur Malik of Delhi Police Cyber Cell (North-East District), along with fellow SI Neha Punia, allegedly misappropriated over ₹2 crore recovered from cyber fraud cases. Instead of returning the funds to victims, Malik forged court documents using fake complainants’ names to release the seized amounts and rerouted the money into bank accounts of close associates.
Malik, a 2021 batch officer, went on seven days of medical leave immediately after executing the scam — and never returned. Neha Punia, also of the 2021 batch and posted at GTB Enclave Police Station, disappeared around the same time. A joint missing report was subsequently filed for both officers.
The crime not only highlights deep-rooted corruption within law enforcement, but also reveals a calculated plan of escape and reinvention involving false identities, cash conversion into gold, and inter-state travel under cover.
Romance, Fraud, and a Runaway Plan That Ended in Indore
Investigations revealed that Malik and Punia, both married to other individuals, had bonded during police training in 2021. Their friendship reportedly evolved into a romantic relationship — and a joint conspiracy. The duo allegedly plotted the fraud as early as their training days, identifying seized cyber fraud funds as low-risk targets since they often go unclaimed by victims.
They used the stolen money to fund vacations across popular tourist destinations including Goa, Manali, and Kashmir, while planning to build a new life together. After reaching Indore, they purchased over ₹1 crore worth of gold using cash, hoping to move around undetected and easily liquidate assets when needed.
According to Delhi Police, the couple intended to forge new identities and settle in remote hilly regions of Madhya Pradesh, thus permanently erasing their past.
Their elaborate escape plan, however, fell apart when Delhi Police’s investigation team used a combination of technical surveillance and field intelligence to track them down. The couple was arrested in Indore after four months on the run.
Gold, Gadgets, and Accomplices: A Full Criminal Network Uncovered
Upon their arrest, police recovered a substantial portion of the stolen assets, including:
- Gold valued over ₹1 crore
- ₹12 lakh in cash
- 11 mobile phones
- Three ATM cards
- A laptop and other digital devices
Delhi Police also arrested three accomplices—Mohammad Ilyas, Aafi alias Monu, and Shadab—whose bank accounts were used to funnel the stolen funds. These individuals are now being interrogated to determine the extent of their involvement.
According to police sources, Malik knew that many cyber fraud case victims never pursue claims, making the funds low-risk for theft. By manipulating court orders and routing money through third-party accounts, he believed the funds would go unnoticed.
“They went into hiding after executing the theft, stayed under the radar by using cash, and converted the stolen amount into gold to avoid tracking,” a senior officer said. “But surveillance and consistent ground efforts led us to them.”
The accused are now being interrogated further to identify additional co-conspirators, and investigators are reviewing other seized account transactions to determine if similar schemes were attempted elsewhere.