What began as a cryptocurrency deal in the heart of Delhi turned into a knife-point robbery staged by men impersonating cybercrime officials. A quick police intervention at ITO helped foil the scheme, leading to two arrests and the recovery of stolen cash.
A Cryptocurrency Connection
New Delhi police said a routine patrol at ITO on Wednesday led to the arrest of two men accused of posing as cybercrime officers and robbing a man of ₹5 lakh. The complainant, who had been in touch with a woman since April, told investigators she had introduced him to cryptocurrency trading.
On the day of the incident, the woman arranged for him to meet three men who claimed they could assist with a transaction. What followed was a carefully orchestrated setup that ended with the complainant trapped in a black car, under threat, and stripped of cash.
A Meeting Turns Hostile
According to police, the suspects lured the complainant and his friends into a car on the pretext of counting money. Once inside, the men allegedly brandished a knife, seized ₹5 lakh, and demanded another ₹20 lakh. They further threatened to implicate the victims in a fabricated cybercrime case if their demands were not met.
The complainant and his companions were held at knifepoint, confronted by men presenting themselves as officers from a cybercrime unit.
A Patrol Team Intervenes
The robbery might have gone unnoticed had it not been for the police patrol that observed a commotion near the black car. Upon inquiry, the complainant raised an alarm and explained what had transpired. Officers moved quickly, confronting the suspects and taking two of them into custody while a third managed to flee.
The dramatic turn of events underscored the role of chance in law enforcement interventions, with the patrol’s presence proving pivotal in halting the scam.
Arrests and Recovery
DCP (East) Abhishek Dhania identified the two arrested suspects as Imtiyaz Ali, 48, and Ranjeet Kumar, 25. Police said ₹3 lakh of the stolen cash was recovered, though one associate escaped the scene. An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
The arrests highlight an emerging pattern where scams tied to cryptocurrency trading and impersonation of officials are increasingly intersecting, leaving unsuspecting victims vulnerable to both deception and physical intimidation.