Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has dismantled a sprawling fraud syndicate that siphoned off more than INR 2.6 crore by targeting State Bank of India (SBI) credit card holders. Authorities confirmed that 18 members of the gang have been arrested after coordinated raids in Delhi, Gurugram, Mathura, and Jaipur.
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Call Centre Insiders at the Heart of the Scam
Investigations revealed that the network obtained confidential customer data through insiders at authorised call centres. Employees of Teleperformance, a Gurugram-based service provider handling SBI’s Card Protection Plan (CPP) services, allegedly leaked sensitive information such as names, registered phone numbers, and partial card details.
Armed with this data, fraudsters posed as SBI customer service representatives. Over phone calls, they tricked cardholders into sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) and CVV numbers. Using these credentials, the gang purchased high-value e-gift cards and domestic flight tickets on platforms like EaseMyTrip and Juhu. The digital vouchers were then sold in bulk to travel agents, who paid the syndicate in cash or cryptocurrency, facilitating large-scale money laundering.
The Syndicate’s Modus Operandi
Police sources disclosed that the network functioned like a professional enterprise with separate operatives for data sourcing, customer targeting, financial transactions, and crypto conversion.
- Ringleaders: Ankit Rathi, Wasim, and Vishal Bhardwaj managed strategy and money flow.
- Data Brokers: Special Lahori alias Paji and Durgesh Dhakad funneled stolen data from Teleperformance.
- Operators: Callers such as Rahul Vishwakarma and Himanshu Chugh posed as SBI officials.
- Crypto Handlers: Akhilesh Lotia and Harsh Chauhan managed conversions into digital assets.
During raids, police seized 53 mobile phones, dozens of SIM cards, and confidential bank details of unsuspecting SBI customers.
Growing Threat to India’s Digital Banking
The case underscores the vulnerability of financial data even within authorized service ecosystems. Police estimate that more than 350 SBI customers across India were defrauded. Officials warn that such breaches erode trust in digital banking and highlight the urgent need for stronger safeguards against insider leaks.
“This was not just a scam—it was an organised financial operation,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Vinit Kumar. “The arrests are a major breakthrough, but systemic reforms are required.”