New Delhi, November 10, 2025: In a significant crackdown on organised cybercrime, the Delhi Police on Monday announced the bust of multiple cyber fraud syndicates operating across India, which were involved in large-scale digital investment scams and extortion schemes. The investigation also unearthed a cryptocurrency trail worth approximately ₹5 crore linked to handlers based in Dubai.

The operation, which spanned several states including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, led to the arrest of four men who were key players in these syndicates. During the raids, police seized mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, debit and credit cards, cheque books, and several other incriminating documents. Investigators also identified fake firms, mule accounts, and e-commerce fronts used by the syndicates to channel and conceal illicit money.

Arrests and Syndicate Operations

The first accused, Atul Sharma, a Haryana resident, was apprehended for his involvement in an investment scam. According to the police, Sharma operated under a Dubai-based handler named Sumit Garg. Technical analysis of suspicious e-commerce activities led authorities to raid his residence in Gurugram, where multiple electronic devices, bank cards, and incriminating documents were seized.

Sharma allegedly targeted financially vulnerable individuals residing in paying guest accommodations, convincing them to open current accounts in the names of fake firms. Under the pretext of offering “insurance assistance” to improve their credit scores, he gained their trust and subsequently used these accounts to launder money defrauded from victims.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aditya Gautam said, “We have traced cryptocurrency transactions worth approximately ₹5 crore to three wallets controlled by the syndicate, indicating a sophisticated mechanism for moving funds across borders.”

In another operation, Rahul Manda, a resident of Haryana, was arrested from Roorkee, Uttarakhand. Manda was allegedly involved in a digital arrest racket, where fraudsters impersonated police or TRAI officials to intimidate and coerce victims into paying money. He was linked to a case in which a complainant was cheated of ₹30 lakh and was found in possession of high-end gadgets. Manda, who has a prior criminal record including a five-year prison term, is being further interrogated.

The third accused, Varun Anchal (35) from Punjab, was apprehended for his role in a digital arrest scam in which a complainant was cheated of ₹26.8 lakh by fraudsters impersonating Mumbai Crime Branch officers. Police stated that Anchal managed mule accounts, withdrawals, and fund transfers to overseas handlers and had been previously arrested in similar cases in Punjab and Haryana.

The fourth accused, Amit Kumar Singh (31), a former bank employee from Bihar, was identified as a facilitator who supplied bank accounts to fraudsters for a commission. Evidence recovered from his mobile phone included incriminating chat records, and he frequently changed employers to conceal his role in scams. Amit is linked to a ₹39.5-lakh investment fraud case, and further investigations into his activities are ongoing.

Method of Operation

According to the Delhi Police, these syndicates used a combination of impersonation, intimidation, and fake investment schemes to target victims across the country. The operations involved:

• Creating fake companies and e-commerce platforms to siphon money.
• Recruiting mule account holders from financially weak individuals.
• Conducting digital arrest rackets, where fraudsters posed as officials to extract money.
• Using cryptocurrency wallets to move and conceal funds, including overseas transfers to Dubai.

The police said the crackdown forms part of an ongoing drive against organised cyber-enabled financial crimes.

Statement from Delhi Police

DCP Aditya Gautam emphasized, “These syndicates have sophisticated networks, including international connections. Our ongoing investigations aim to dismantle the entire chain, track all digital transactions, and bring all perpetrators to justice. We urge the public to remain cautious while dealing with online investment opportunities or unknown contacts claiming to represent authorities.”

The Delhi Police further noted that investigations are continuing and that additional arrests are likely as they trace the movement of funds and identify further accomplices. The case underscores the growing challenge of cyber-enabled financial crime and the necessity of coordinated multi-state and international policing efforts.

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