In a significant victory against organized cybercrime, the Delhi Police announced a major breakthrough on Tuesday with the dismantling of a sophisticated international fraud and extortion network. A coordinated, multi-state operation led to the arrest of ten individuals, including the alleged mastermind, for orchestrating scams totaling over Rs 50 crore.
Pan-India Raids and Arrests
The operation, spearheaded by the Southeast District of Delhi Police, spanned seven states across the country. Coordinated raids were executed in Delhi, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, underscoring the vast reach of the criminal enterprise. The key arrests were made from strategic locations in Kerala (including the mastermind), Delhi, and Mumbai.
Authorities revealed that the syndicate is linked to 61 registered complaints on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The police described the network as a highly organized pan-India operation that employed complex digital tactics to defraud victims.
Modus Operandi and Network Structure
While the investigation into their precise methods is ongoing, preliminary findings indicate the syndicate used intricate layers of digital impersonation, phishing, and various extortion tactics. The mastermind, operating primarily from Kerala, is believed to have orchestrated the fraudulent transactions.
His associates, based in Delhi and Mumbai, handled the technical and financial logistics. This included the rapid laundering of the illicit proceeds through a network of mule bank accounts, making it difficult to trace the stolen funds.
A Clear Message to Cybercriminals
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the Southeast District, Hemant Tiwari, stated that the operation sends a strong warning to cybercriminals. "This operation sends a clear message: regardless of how wide your network or how sophisticated your digital mask, law enforcement will track you down," he said.
DCP Tiwari further emphasized the commitment to justice for all victims, adding, "We are working to secure the evidence and ensure that every victim of the 61 NCRP complaints involved receives justice."
The police have seized substantial digital evidence, including mobile devices, computers, and documents related to the bank accounts used in the scams. This evidence is expected to uncover further links and reveal the complete organizational structure of this international syndicate, potentially leading to more arrests.
