A large-scale investigation into organised cyber fraud across India has led to 944 arrests in Delhi, with authorities linking the cases to alleged financial losses of nearly Rs 479 crore.
During the 6th edition of Operation CyHawk, conducted on October 28 and 29, the Delhi Police registered 1,032 cases and examined 4,002 cybercrime complaints. The operation covered all 15 police districts, the Crime Branch (Cyber) and the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit.
Police detained or rounded up 4,979 suspects for verification. In addition to the arrests, 788 people were bound down and notices were served on another 2,081, taking the total number of people dealt with to 3,813. The police registered 596 fresh FIRs, took action in 432 existing cases and initiated action in 4 Kalandras.
Of the complaints investigated, 727 originated in Delhi and 3,275 came from other states and Union Territories. The alleged fraud amount stood at Rs 479.14 crore.
Raids across 17 states and 5 Union Territories
A total of 283 police teams conducted raids across at least 17 states and 5 Union Territories. The action targeted networks involved in supplying mule bank accounts, fraudulent SIM cards, illegal call centres and laundering money through cash and cryptocurrency.
Police recovered 1,037 mobile phones, 1,301 SIM cards, 106 laptops and computers, 397 ATM cards, more than 244 bank kits and passbooks, 325 Aadhaar cards, 6 SIM boxes, 11 cars and 10 two-wheelers. They also seized Rs 37.67 lakh in cash, along with gold and cryptocurrency.
The operation focused on dismantling the infrastructure behind cyber fraud, including account suppliers, bank insiders, SIM providers, call centre operators and money handlers.
Major cases included a Jamtara-linked credit card syndicate in Dhanbad, a matrimonial fraud gang in Durg-Bhilai, mule-account suppliers in Kanpur and Greater Noida, and account facilitators in Mumbai, Lucknow, Rajasthan and Punjab. Police also uncovered fake firms used to open current accounts for cybercriminals in exchange for commissions.
Multiple fraud networks uncovered
Arrests and investigations exposed alleged involvement of bank officials, service-agency insiders and SIM card networks. Police also acted against fake KYC calls, phishing, fraudulent apps, shopping and investment scams, matrimonial fraud, loan-app sextortion and impersonation of corporate and government officials.
Illegal call centres were dismantled in Dwarka, South-West and East Delhi. One centre in East Delhi allegedly operated from a moving vehicle to avoid location tracking. The IFSO unit also seized SIM boxes used for bulk calls and acted against fraudulent investment links and Telegram channels dealing in cryptocurrency, eSIMs and bank accounts.
The operation used intelligence from I4C, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the Samanvaya and Pratibimb portals to identify suspicious accounts, phone numbers and cybercrime hotspots.
Compared with the previous edition held on June 16 and 17, CyHawk 6.0 recorded around 24% more fresh FIRs, 46% more complaints worked out and a 57% rise in action involving complaints from outside Delhi.
Across all 6 editions, arrests have crossed 3,300. Investigations continue to trace funds, identify overseas handlers, attach criminal proceeds and recover victims’ money.
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