Tonk | December 24, 2025 | In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the District Special Team (DST) of the Rajasthan Police has busted an organised cyber fraud gang involved in cheating people of nearly ₹70 lakh in Tonk district. Acting on specific inputs, the police conducted a late-night raid in the Niwai police station area and arrested three cyber criminals, who had allegedly been operating fake PhonePe apps, fraudulent investment schemes and sextortion rackets for nearly four years.
According to DST officials, the gang primarily targeted unsuspecting citizens through social media and digital payment platforms. Victims were first contacted on WhatsApp and Instagram, where the accused built trust before luring them with promises of quick profits or easy investment returns. In several cases, victims were trapped through video calls, recorded in compromising situations and later blackmailed under sextortion threats.
Cyber fraud network operated from a rented room
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had been running the cyber fraud operation for the past one year from a rented room in Shivaji Colony, under the Niwai police station limits. The room functioned as a full-fledged digital fraud control centre, from where fake calls, messages and investment links were circulated to victims across different parts of the country.
During the raid, the DST team recovered multiple mobile phones, dozens of ATM cards, and an Apache RTR motorcycle from the accused. Police suspect that the seized mobile devices contain banking credentials of victims, chat histories, transaction records and data related to fake applications, which could expose the full scale of the fraud.
Gang active for nearly four years
Senior police officers said the gang had been systematically carrying out cyber fraud for around four years. Initial estimates suggest that the total amount siphoned off exceeds ₹70 lakh, though the figure could rise significantly once forensic analysis of the digital devices is completed.
The DST team is also probing whether other members of the gang are still at large and if the network has links extending beyond Tonk district or even outside the state.
Identity of arrested accused
The three arrested accused have been identified as:
- Salman, son of Babu, aged 20, resident of Jamdoli, Baroni police station area
- Khushiram Chaudhary, son of Khemraj, aged 19, resident of Motuka, Baroni police station area
- Vijay Raj, son of Deva Lal Saini, aged 18, resident of Ganesh Nagar, Niwai
Cases have been registered against all three at Niwai police station under various sections related to cybercrime. Police said detailed interrogation and technical investigation are currently underway.
Fake investments and sextortion were key tools
Investigators found that the accused mainly targeted young individuals and people interested in online investments. Fake PhonePe interfaces and investment links were used to gain confidence, after which victims’ banking details were extracted and funds siphoned off. In sextortion cases, victims were lured into video calls, secretly recorded and later threatened with public exposure unless payments were made.
DST action creates panic among cyber criminals
The successful operation has sent shockwaves through cyber fraud circles in the region. Police officials indicated that more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. Forensic examination of seized devices is expected to uncover additional victims and transaction trails.
Police advisory
The Rajasthan Police have urged citizens to remain alert against fake investment offers, unknown links and suspicious video calls. Victims of cyber fraud have been advised to immediately contact the 1930 cybercrime helpline or file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.
Police officials reiterated that public awareness and timely reporting remain the most effective weapons in combating cyber fraud.
