The West District Cyber Police Station in Delhi has completed a massive operation against organized online crime rings. In a special drive that lasted about a week, the team arrested 27 cybercriminals from 11 different states. The investigation has linked these suspects to 150 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Officials discovered suspicious transactions worth ₹13.91 Crore in the bank accounts managed by these accused.
What did the police find during the raids?
The police team conducted raids in states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana, and Punjab. During this crackdown, they uncovered that the gang was involved in frauds worth over ₹1.5 Crore directly linked to recent cases. To stop further theft, the team managed to freeze approximately ₹11 Lakh in various bank accounts immediately.
DCP Vichitra Veer stated that this operation targeted the people who help move the stolen money. The police seized many items that were used to run these scams from different locations.
- 25 Mobile phones used for operating apps
- 28 SIM cards mostly bought with fake IDs
- 20 ATM/Debit cards and chequebooks
- 1 Motorcycle purchased or used for crime
How does this scam network work?
The investigation revealed that these criminals used “Mule Accounts” to hide their tracks. They rented bank accounts from common people by offering them a small commission. They used these accounts to transfer money stolen through Stock Market Investment Scams and fake work-from-home jobs on Telegram and WhatsApp.
The police have advised the public not to rent out their bank accounts or share OTPs with anyone for money. Doing so makes the account holder a part of the crime. Citizens should always verify investment apps on the SEBI website before transferring funds. If you suspect any fraud, report it immediately on the 1930 helpline.
