NEW DELHI, Dec 18: Delhi Police on Thursday busted two inter-state cyberfraud rackets supplying mule bank accounts used in online financial crimes, including investment frauds, part-time job scams, and digital extortion. Nine accused were arrested during coordinated raids in Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur, and Ghaziabad under the ‘Cyhawk Operation’.
DCP (North) Raja Banthia said the rackets operated in a structured manner, using layered banking channels, social media platforms, and encrypted messaging apps to launder money from victims nationwide. Eight mobile phones, eight SIM cards, and digital evidence were recovered.
In one case, a 21-year-old Delhi University student lost Rs 93,000 in a fake part-time job scam. Police traced money trails, call records, and IMEI data, arresting three accused in Rajasthan. The suspects opened bank accounts and provided credentials, SIM cards, and corporate IDs to other fraudsters for commission.
In the second case, analysis of cyberfraud complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) revealed proceeds being routed through common mule accounts, including one in north Delhi. Six more accused were arrested, acting as handlers, coordinators, and account providers. They laundered funds through multiple accounts and converted the money into cryptocurrency, primarily USDT, via social media buyers.
The arrested include Himanshu Sharma (24), Chatra Abhijeet Lamba (22), Sahil Joshi (23) from Rajasthan; Mannu (23), Ajay (25), Parveen, Piyush from Delhi; and Aniket (22), Ganesh Rathi (25) from Ghaziabad. The gang frequently changed locations to evade detection.
The police said the operation disrupts a major link in cybercrime financing and highlighted the need for vigilance in digital transactions. (Agencies)
