Gurugram: Cyber police in Gurugram, Haryana, have uncovered two separate cyber fraud operations, including one with alleged links to an international cybercrime network operating from Cambodia. According to investigators, one group targeted victims through fraudulent “work-from-home” and “Telegram task” schemes, later converting the stolen money into USDT (Tether) cryptocurrency before transferring it through digital channels to operators based overseas. Police have arrested five accused in the case. In a separate investigation, another gang was arrested for allegedly posing as officials from the procurement department of a CISF canteen and cheating a businessman out of ₹253,000.
Police identified the accused arrested in the Telegram task fraud case as Yogesh Rawat, Amit Agrawal, Aniket, Sanjay Shrivas alias Anu, and Ghanshyam Lodha. Investigators also found the alleged involvement of a woman whose bank account was reportedly used to receive and route the proceeds of cyber fraud. During the operation, police seized ₹132,573 in cash and three mobile phones. Forensic examination of the seized digital devices and banking records is currently underway.
According to the investigation, the gang approached victims through the messaging platform Telegram, promising easy income through online assignments, remote work, and investment opportunities. Victims were initially paid small amounts to build trust before being persuaded to deposit larger sums in exchange for higher returns. Police allege that once the money was received, it was transferred through multiple bank accounts, withdrawn in cash, and subsequently converted into USDT, making it more difficult to trace.
Investigators said the group’s primary role was to arrange mule bank accounts and facilitate the movement of fraud proceeds through multiple financial layers. During questioning, the accused allegedly revealed that after conversion into cryptocurrency, the funds were transferred via digital wallets and Telegram-linked payment channels to individuals associated with a cybercrime network operating from Cambodia. Authorities are now analysing cryptocurrency wallets, banking transactions, mobile devices, and other digital evidence to identify the full extent of the international network and trace additional beneficiaries.
The investigation began after a woman from Bharat Colony filed a complaint alleging that she had been lured through Telegram with promises of earning money from home. She claimed she was instructed to complete a series of online tasks and ultimately lost ₹132,000 in the scam. Based on her complaint, the Central Cyber Police Station launched an investigation that led to the identification and arrest of the alleged network.
In a separate cyber fraud case, police also arrested members of another gang accused of impersonating procurement officials from a CISF canteen to defraud a businessman of ₹253,000. Investigators are examining whether the two cases share common digital infrastructure, including bank accounts, mobile numbers, payment channels, or communication platforms, which could indicate broader links between the two operations.
Authorities are conducting forensic analysis of the seized electronic devices, financial records, cryptocurrency transactions, and communication logs to identify additional suspects and determine whether the network has connections with cyber fraud syndicates operating in other parts of India or abroad. Investigators are also working to establish the complete money trail and identify the ultimate recipients of the allegedly stolen funds.
According to renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh, Telegram-based investment and task scams have become one of the preferred methods used by international cybercrime syndicates. He said criminals increasingly rely on mule bank accounts and cryptocurrencies such as USDT to obscure the origin of stolen funds, making investigations significantly more complex. He advised the public not to trust unsolicited “earn from home,” “paid task,” or guaranteed high-return investment offers received through messaging applications or social media. He also urged individuals to independently verify any financial proposal before making payments and to report suspected cyber fraud to the appropriate authorities immediately.
