Sextortion, fake jobs and trading frauds: Police data reveals scamsters’ dirty playbook, how they trap victims and move funds

Cybercrime networks operating across different parts of India are running scams that range from sextortion and online trading frauds to fake job offers and identity theft, according to police data. These syndicates are exploiting unemployed youth, students and daily-wage workers by using their bank accounts to route stolen money, a PTI report stated.

From Bharatpur to Jamtara: Hotspot regions for scams

Police data identifies several hotspots that continue to fuel cybercrime in the country. The Mewat belt, including Bharatpur and Mathura, has become known for sextortion rackets and hotel-booking scams. Jharkhand’s Jamtara and Deoghar districts are infamous for KYC and credit card reward-point frauds. Rajasthan’s Jodhpur and Barmer, along with areas in Gujarat, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, are recognised as major centres for supplying mule accounts used to channel funds.

How victims are trapped

Fraudsters target young adults with promises of quick money through online trading schemes and fake job offers. Others fall prey to phishing emails, malicious mobile applications and “digital arrest” scams, where callers impersonate enforcement officers and demand payments.


“The most vulnerable people are young adults aged between 18 and 44 years, who are frequently targeted through investment fraud, online job offers, phishing, adware and social-media frauds,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel said.

Minors are exposed to cyberbullying and sextortion, while women often face harassment through fake profiles, morphed images and fraudulent work-from-home offers. Senior citizens are commonly targeted through “digital arrest” and electricity-bill frauds, police said.

Tools and techniques

Scammers often use honey traps on social media and dating apps to lure victims into video calls, record compromising visuals and extort money. In impersonation cases, fake social media accounts are created to harass or solicit messages.

Almost all financial cybercrimes involve fraudulent SIM cards and mule accounts. “Funds are often transferred via UPI or IMPS into accounts of unemployed youth, students, daily-wage workers or those whose accounts have been compromised. These account holders, or ‘mules’, receive a commission of five to 10 per cent for allowing their accounts to be used,” an officer said.

Once deposited, the money is converted into cryptocurrency, often USDT, through peer-to-peer exchanges. To erase traces, the funds are split into smaller sums, moved across blockchains such as Ethereum and Tron, and transferred into digital wallets managed by syndicates in Dubai, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Cyber Crime Investigations

Police investigations rely on open-source intelligence, IP tracking and financial fraud analysis tools. They also receive support from agencies like the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations Unit (IFSO), the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and national-level platforms such as NATGRID.

“Fraudsters are constantly adapting and finding new ways to target unsuspecting citizens. While enforcement is catching up, awareness among people is the strongest shield against cybercrime,” DCP Goel said.

(Source: PTI)