Delhi Police have arrested 11 people in connection with an alleged digital arrest scam in which a 69-year-old retired scientist lost Rs 1.25 crore. The investigation has also uncovered suspected links to an international cybercrime network operating through handlers in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries.
The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police has also helped secure Rs 7.25 crore in a separate digital arrest case involving a 79-year-old man in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, authorities have placed holds on Rs 1.96 crore in bank accounts linked to ongoing fraud investigations.
How the retired scientist was targeted
The investigation began after Pradeep Kumar Das, a retired scientist and former Director in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, reported being cheated of Rs 1.25 crore.
According to police, Das received a call on August 14 from individuals posing as officers of Delhi Police, the Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency. They allegedly claimed that his Aadhaar details had been misused in a money-laundering case and threatened him with arrest.
The accused reportedly obtained his bank details under the pretext of verifying his funds and persuaded him to transfer Rs 1,25,09,000 through RTGS to 3 bank accounts. They also allegedly kept him under continuous video surveillance and restricted his movements.
An FIR was registered at the Special Cell police station, following which investigators began tracing the money trail and identifying those involved.
Suspected network and alleged roles of the accused
An examination of seized mobile phones revealed Telegram conversations and an application called “SMS Tools”. Investigators suspect the application was configured to automatically forward SMS messages, including one-time passwords (OTPs), to cybercriminals operating from abroad.
According to police, Anish Khan allegedly acted as the main handler, coordinating with overseas associates through Telegram and managing a bank account used for the transactions. He allegedly received a commission of 5.5% in USDT, a cryptocurrency, which was converted into Indian rupees through cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms.
Izhar Alam allegedly introduced the account holder to Altaf Hussain, who arranged mule bank accounts through Telegram. Intekhab allegedly coordinated travel and accommodation in Delhi and monitored the account holder during the stay.
The 6 other accused arrested in connection with the case involving Das were identified as Neeraj Kumar Mittal, Kanwar Pal, Saif Ali Khan, Ranbir, Prabhat Rai alias Ashutosh, and Anil Sagu alias Krishna. Police allege that they helped provide bank accounts, facilitate transactions, and collect and distribute commissions.
Links to other cyber fraud cases
The investigation has also uncovered suspected connections to cases registered in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
In a case registered by the Cyber Crime Police Station in Vijayawada, a 79-year-old man, Boppana Baparao, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 10.25 crore through a digital arrest scam. Following coordination between Delhi Police and Andhra Pradesh Police, Rs 7.25 crore was secured or frozen.
In another case in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, a complainant allegedly lost Rs 21 lakh after being promised high investment returns. The entire amount was transferred to an account belonging to M/s MR Traders. Around Rs 5 lakh had moved to other accounts before the account was frozen, and efforts are underway to trace the diverted funds.
The accused have also been linked to a separate digital arrest case registered by Delhi Police in June, in which a complainant allegedly lost Rs 77 lakh.
Investigation reveals wider cybercrime network
Police seized 6 mobile phones containing chats, cryptocurrency transaction records and other digital evidence, along with a cheque book linked to a bank account under investigation.
Investigators have identified 7 online channels allegedly used to buy and sell mule bank accounts. Analysis of digital evidence has also revealed links to 78 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal across several states, involving a total of Rs 73 crore.
Further investigation is underway to trace the funds, identify additional members of the suspected syndicate and establish the role of overseas handlers.
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