A routine fraud complaint lodged with the Mumbai Police has led to the discovery of a vast cybercrime network affecting over 60,000 individuals across India. The initial complaint, filed by a resident duped of ₹1.98 lakh in April, unveiled a larger web of organized digital fraud orchestrated by operators in Noida.
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60,000+ Victims Targeted Through Phishing and Scam Calls
The complainant had been contacted by individuals posing as officials from a major courier company and law enforcement, claiming her package contained illegal items. She was coerced into transferring money under threat of arrest. Upon receiving the complaint, the Mumbai cyber police began tracing the digital trail of the fraudsters.
The investigation led authorities to a network of fake call centres and phishing operations that had been operating for over a year. It was revealed that the group had duped victims across multiple states using social engineering tactics, impersonating police officers, government agencies, and banking officials to instill fear and extract payments.
The accused used mobile apps to mask their numbers and relied on digital wallets and cryptocurrency transactions to launder the funds.
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Raids in Noida and Further Arrests Imminent
Following the leads, the Mumbai cybercrime cell coordinated with Noida police and conducted raids on multiple locations. Key suspects have been identified, and arrests are expected shortly. Officials confirmed that the fraudsters maintained databases of potential victims and scripts for manipulating them during calls.
The seized evidence includes over 100 mobile phones, several laptops, call recordings, and forged documents. The police are analyzing call data records and bank transaction logs to track down the masterminds.
The Mumbai Police have now registered the case under sections related to cheating, criminal intimidation, and identity theft. They have urged the public to report suspicious calls and refrain from sharing personal information without verification.
A special team has been formed to investigate the broader nexus and assist victims in filing complaints and recovering their funds.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.