Delhi police detain 42 suspects in major cybercrime sweep

The Delhi police have arrested more than 42 individuals in a special crackdown on cybercrime across the Southwestern Delhi region. According to an official, the operation specifically targets cybercriminals for their alleged involvement in several Interstate fraud modules that defrauded victims of more than Rs. 254 crore (approximately $28 million).

According to reports, the arrests were made during the raids linked to Operation CyHawk. During the operation, which lasted 48 hours, the Delhi police arrested more than 800 accused linked with various cybercrimes. According to an official, more than 509 individuals have also received notices in connection with cybercrimes during the operations’ duration. While addressing a press conference, Rajesh Gupta, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations), gave details about the operation.

Delhi police arrests more suspects

In his press conference, Gupta mentioned that the individuals apprehended or sent notices were connected to fraud, such as job fraud, investment fraud, work-from-home fraud, with many call centers involved in scamming people also being raided. Meanwhile, the newly arrested parties have been linked to 23 registered FIRs and 377 NCRP complaints.

In addition, three laptops, two computers, 43 mobile phones, 17 passbooks, two cheque books, 14 debit cards, and about $178K in cash were also recovered from the raid. The police highlighted that the crackdown also targeted criminals involved in ATM fraud, digital arrest scams, $USDT laundering, digital marketing fraud, and large mule accounts operating across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

Technical analysis of mule accounts carried out by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (14C) flagged suspicious activities in four private bank accounts in Kishangarh. The accounts were linked to several fraud cases registered across Kolkata and Mumbai. The Delhi police have also registered a case regarding the development. The investigation led to the arrest of Asgard Ali and Ankit Singh, who were both high-profile mule account suppliers.

Police shed light on the arrests

After interrogating the suspects, they led the Delhi police to the alleged mastermind, Ravi Kumar Singh, who was arrested after a seven-day chase across Noida, Delhi, and Ghaziabad. The police claimed that Ravi allegedly operated fraudulent call centers in Noida and Kotla Mubarakpur, luring his victims through fake job advertisements for private airlines. He also routed proceeds of his criminal activities with the help of another accused, Ravi Mishra.

The police also apprehended three additional suspects, Rajan Singh Negi, Kamlesh Pal, and a 24-year-old anonymous woman. They were all arrested from a functioning call center in Kotla Mubarakpur. The police seized ten mobile phones, five smartphones, two laptops, a computer, and a register containing all the details of their fraudulent transactions. The criminals are expected to be processed before they face the court for their bail hearing.

In another case, an FIR was registered after police discovered that bank accounts in the name of Rajesh Kumar were used to withdraw fraud proceeds in at least six NCRP complaints. The police carried out raids across Mandawali and Najafgarh, leading to the arrest of Rajesh and three other accomplices, Sajan Kumar, Akash Kumar, and Gopal Yadav. The police also recovered 17 passbooks, eight debit cards, three mobile phones, and more than $177K in cash.

The Delhi police also highlighted another case where a current account opened in the name of Dynamic Dreams was found linked to 244 cybercrime complaints involving losses of more than Rs. 186 crore. The case was registered, and one of the account holders was arrested after a raid in Nilothi. Five bank accounts linked to Gayatri Kumari were also linked to 23 cybercrime complaints. Gayatri was arrested from Dabri Extension, and her interrogation led to the arrest of Aman Bhardwaj, whom police accused of converting illegal proceeds into $USDT.