New Delhi [India], November 13 (HBTV): In a major breakthrough, the Cyber Cell of the Crime Branch conducted multi-state raids in Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Punjab, cracking down on several cyber fraud syndicates operating across the country.
Several key masterminds of digital arrest and investment fraud rackets were arrested, and cryptocurrency worth approximately INR 5 crore, linked to Dubai-based handlers, was recovered. Alongside this, the operation also exposed fake firms, mule accounts, and e-commerce front operations used for illicit fund transfers.
Among those arrested were Sumit Kumar, Atul Sharma of Kurukshetra, Rahul Manda of Hisar, Varun Anchal alias Lucky of Jalandhar, and Amit Kumar Singh alias Kartik of Saran. These arrests were made in connection with various ongoing cases.
A key syndicate operator, Sumit Garg, working under a Dubai-based handler, was apprehended in connection with an investment scam. Rahul Manda was arrested for his role in a digital arrest fraud case, in which a victim lost INR 30 lakh. Varun Anchal was caught for managing multiple mule accounts and fund transfers, while Amit Kumar Singh, a former bank employee, was found facilitating the illegal transactions.
The Supreme Court also cancelled the bail of another accused, Lakshay Nanda of Ludhiana, who was involved in an investment fraud case amounting to INR 48.35 lakh.
During a raid in Gurugram, the Cyber Cell recovered mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, cheque books, and three cryptocurrency wallets holding approximately 552,944 USDT (about INR 5 crore).
Officials revealed that the scammers impersonated police and agency officials to intimidate victims into surrendering during so-called ‘digital arrests’. They also created fake investment platforms promising high returns to lure unsuspecting victims. To facilitate their schemes, they recruited financially weaker students, PG residents, and unemployed youths to open mule current accounts, using fake e-commerce companies to mask transactions and conceal cash flow.
(ANI)