New Delhi: Delhi Police has busted two separate interstate cyber-fraud syndicates in investigations that have exposed how organised networks operate through fake investment platforms, social media channels, mule bank accounts, shell firms and cryptocurrency transactions to siphon off money from victims. While the crime branch has arrested a handler in an investment fraud case, six people were arrested in another network linked to 89 complaints involving over Rs 83.2 crore.In the first case, Udit Tyagi (26) of Meerut was allegedly a key handler in a syndicate involved in fake online investment, trading and task-based earning frauds. The case was registered after a man was allegedly lured through social media groups and channels and fraudulent investment platforms, and cheated of around Rs 30 lakh.According to police, the victim was initially encouraged to make small investments, with the platform displaying fictitious profits and allowing limited withdrawals to build confidence. He was subsequently persuaded to invest larger amounts and was repeatedly asked to pay additional charges in the name of tax clearance, account upgrades and withdrawal fees.DCP (crime) Harsh Indora said, “The probe revealed a multi-layered network involving foreign/Chinese operators developing fraudulent digital infrastructure, operators, Indian intermediaries, mule-account providers and cryptocurrency handlers. More than 18 first-layer bank accounts were identified as part of the money trail. The team also found a USDT/INR settlement mechanism used to move and convert suspected fraud proceeds.”Tyagi, who fled to Thailand, Malaysia and later the UAE after his name surfaced in the case, was apprehended at Jaipur airport. Police said interrogating him could help identify other members and trace the complete financial and digital network. More than 35 cybercrime complaints across different states have so far been linked to accounts used by the accused.In the Dwarka case, police arrested Chetan Sehrawat, Shakti Gurjar, Dharmender Kumar, Tarun, Deepak and Gaurav Kadian for operating a network that routed cheated money through mule accounts and shell firms.DCP (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said, “The investigation began after a suspicious bank account in Dwarka’s Sector 23A was found receiving money linked to cyber fraud complaints from Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The team found that the accused opened bank accounts and firms in different names to receive, transfer and withdraw cheated money.”Two accused attempted to flee abroad. Sehrawat was arrested at IGI Airport after allegedly travelling to Thailand and later Dubai, while Tarun was intercepted at Mumbai airport while allegedly trying to travel to Dubai.Police have so far linked 89 complaints involving Rs 83.2 crore to the Dwarka syndicate and placed Rs 1.1 crore on hold. Searches led to the seizure of 109 cheque books, 12 mobile phones, bank and firm documents and other material.
