Delhi Police bust cyber gang run from Dubai handler; bank relationship manager held for opening fake accounts

Delhi Police has broken up a nationwide cyber cheating network that allegedly took orders from a Dubai-based mastermind. Officers arrested five people, including a bank relationship manager, who they say helped open fake accounts to move money stolen from victims in at least 12 states. Police said the group used bogus companies and multiple current accounts to layer the funds before sending them abroad.

"The accused allegedly earned Rs 1.5 lakh commission for every bank account opened for the racket's operations," read a statement issued by crime branch.

How the scam ran across India

Investigators said the accused — identified as Manjeet Singh (28), Manshvi (23), Manish Mehra (33), Sombir (43) and Anup (35) — were caught from Delhi, Gurugram and Hisar after police tracked their digital footprints.


"Investigation into an e-FIR lodged in June revealed that the group worked on the directions of a Dubai-based handler identified as Tom. Anup, the bank official, facilitated the opening of fake current accounts and leaked internal alerts related to NCRP (National Cybercrime Reporting Portal) complaints and account freezing," it read.

Others handled fake firm setup, ledger management and movement of money.

Fake firms, crypto trail

During questioning, the group admitted to floating at least three fictitious firms and creating eight bank accounts to channel fraud proceeds, police said. The money, once collected, did not stay long in the banking system. It was converted to USDT — a cryptocurrency — to hide the trail and push funds overseas.

"We have recovered 18 mobile phones, a laptop containing data of cryptocurrency wallets, and bank statements, 36 SIM cards, and multiple cheque books," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam said.

Cases across 12 states

The seized documents connect to 52 cyber fraud cases stretching from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to Punjab, Gujarat and Kerala.

"The seized documents are linked to 52 cyber fraud complaints reported across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala and Haryana," he said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify the overseas handlers and trace the money trail.

(Source: PTI)