New Delhi: A major cybercrime investigation by Delhi Police has exposed an alleged nationwide fraud network accused of handling more than ₹70 crore through hundreds of fake corporate bank accounts. Ten people, including banking sector employees, have been arrested as part of the crackdown, which has uncovered links to cyber fraud cases across 19 states and Union Territories.

The investigation began after a Delhi resident reported losing ₹10,000 in a fake work-from-home freelancing scheme promoted through social media. While tracing the stolen money trail, investigators discovered that the funds had moved through an account registered under a suspected shell company, leading authorities to uncover a much larger financial network.

Fake Companies Used to Move Fraudulent Funds

According to investigators, the accused allegedly created fake business entities and opened corporate bank accounts using those companies. These accounts were then reportedly provided to cybercriminal groups as ready-made channels for transferring and hiding money obtained through online scams.

Police believe the syndicate operated a structured network of mule accounts, allowing fraud proceeds to be transferred through multiple layers of transactions. This method made it difficult for investigators to immediately identify the source and destination of illegal funds.

Banking Connections Under Investigation

Delhi Police have identified several accused persons, including alleged key operators Dishant Khanna, Kundan Kumar, Mohit Soni, Yogesh Kumar, Ranjeet Damion Ekka, and Mridul.

Authorities said five arrested individuals were connected to the banking sector, including three women associated with a partner bank. Investigators allege that these individuals helped the network by facilitating the opening of fraudulent corporate accounts and bypassing required verification procedures.

During searches conducted as part of the investigation, police recovered 248 corporate bank account kits, 38 SIM cards, 22 mobile phones, 28 fake company stamps, 55 debit and credit cards, cash, and a vehicle allegedly used by the group.

Digital evidence collected from seized devices, including financial records and online communications, is being examined to establish the full scale of the operation.

International Links and Wider Cyber Fraud Connections

Investigators have also found suspected links between the network and overseas-based operators in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Authorities have initiated further action, including issuing Look Out Circulars against individuals believed to be connected with the alleged operation.

A review of records from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) showed that the recovered corporate accounts were allegedly connected to 156 cybercrime complaints filed across 19 states and Union Territories. Reported losses in these cases exceed ₹20 crore, while authorities have frozen around ₹56 lakh from suspicious accounts during the ongoing investigation.

Experts Highlight Need for Stronger Financial Monitoring

Cybercrime specialists have warned that organised fraud groups are increasingly using shell companies, fake identities, and banking loopholes to move stolen funds quickly.

Experts stressed that stronger Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, regular monitoring of suspicious accounts, and faster reporting of unusual financial activity by banks are critical to preventing large-scale cyber fraud networks.

The Delhi Police investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to analyse financial transactions and digital evidence to identify additional suspects and recover more funds.

Mumbai, July 27, 2026: Mumbai Cyber Police have initiated legal action against a telecom point-of-sale (POS) operator accused of supplying fraudulently activated SIM cards to cybercriminal networks. Investigators allege that the operator used forged or misused identity documents to obtain mobile connections, which were later circulated among organized cyber fraud groups operating across multiple states.

FIR Registered Following Cyber Fraud Investigation

The West Region Cyber Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on July 21 after examining several cybercrime cases linked to suspicious mobile numbers. According to investigators, the accused, identified as Prathamesh Chorat, allegedly activated SIM cards using identity documents belonging to unsuspecting individuals between January 2025 and May 2026.

Authorities believe many of these documents may have originally been submitted by citizens for legitimate purposes such as banking or other verification processes before being misused to obtain unauthorized mobile connections.

‘Ghost SIMs’ Allegedly Used in Financial Scams

Police say the illegally activated mobile connections, commonly referred to as “ghost SIMs,” are frequently exploited by cybercriminals to conceal their identities while carrying out online fraud. These SIM cards are allegedly used to contact victims, bypass verification procedures, operate fraudulent bank accounts, and facilitate digital financial crimes.

Investigators stated that fraudsters used these numbers to communicate with potential victims through online platforms, gain their trust through deceptive tactics or intimidation, and ultimately persuade them to transfer money into multiple bank accounts controlled by criminal networks.

NCRP Database Helped Identify Suspected Links

The investigation was supported by data collected through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and information provided by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Officials analyzed records of cyber fraud complaints, including mobile numbers, bank accounts, and transaction details reported through the national cybercrime helpline and online complaint system. During the review, investigators reportedly discovered that several mobile numbers connected to cybercrime cases had been issued by specific telecom point-of-sale operators in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Further verification with telecom service providers allegedly linked multiple suspicious SIM cards to the accused operator. Police also found complaints associated with these numbers from Maharashtra and West Bengal, indicating a wider geographical spread of the suspected operation.

Probe Suggests Organized Cybercrime Network

According to the FIR, organized cybercrime syndicates allegedly employ field agents to collect bank accounts and SIM cards registered in the names of unsuspecting individuals from different parts of the country. These resources are then reportedly used to facilitate various forms of online financial fraud, including investment scams, stock market frauds, digital arrest scams, and other cyber-enabled crimes.

Investigators suspect that the accused supplied multiple mule SIM cards to these criminal groups during the period under investigation. Authorities are now working to identify other individuals involved in the network, including those responsible for collecting identity documents, arranging bank accounts, and distributing illegally obtained mobile connections.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police are examining whether additional operators or intermediaries were involved in the alleged racket.c

New Delhi: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has carried out searches at 19 locations across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Srinagar as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged online investment fraud and fake work-from-home schemes.

The searches were conducted on July 10 and 11 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the agency, the operation covered 16 locations in Tamil Nadu, two in Kerala and one in Srinagar. The case originated from two cybercrime complaints registered by the Tamil Nadu and Telangana Police.

Victims Allegedly Duped Through Fake Investment Platforms

According to ED officials, the accused allegedly attracted victims through fraudulent online investment platforms and work-from-home opportunities by promising unusually high returns and attractive earning opportunities.

Investigators claim that victims transferred nearly ₹14.95 crore into bank accounts allegedly linked to the accused. The agency is examining the flow of these funds and the methods allegedly used to conceal their origin.

Funds Allegedly Routed Through Mule Accounts and Crypto Channels

The ED has alleged that the suspected proceeds of crime were moved through multiple bank accounts, shell entities and cryptocurrency channels to disguise the financial trail.

Investigators have identified Roshan Fiaz as one of the individuals allegedly involved in the suspected laundering network. The allegations against him and others are part of an ongoing investigation and remain subject to judicial review.

The agency claims that several bank accounts were opened shortly before receiving fraudulent funds and later closed after transactions were completed. Officials are examining whether these accounts were allegedly used as part of a wider money laundering arrangement.

Digital Evidence and Financial Records Seized

During the searches, ED teams recovered documents, electronic devices, laptops, mobile phones, banking records, company-related documents and information connected with suspected shell companies.

Investigators also collected details related to cryptocurrency wallets and virtual digital assets to trace the movement of funds allegedly generated through cyber fraud.

According to the ED, assets worth around ₹3.35 crore in cryptocurrency and cash amounting to ₹14.50 lakh were seized during the operation. The agency also froze bank accounts containing more than ₹40 lakh.

Probe Focuses on Complete Money Trail

Officials said forensic analysis of digital devices, banking transactions and cryptocurrency records is underway to identify additional beneficiaries and determine the full extent of the alleged financial network.

Cybercrime experts have highlighted that online investment scams and fake employment frauds are increasingly using sophisticated laundering methods involving mule accounts, shell companies and digital currencies.

Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh said that effective investigation of such cases requires advanced digital forensics, blockchain analysis, financial intelligence and coordination between multiple enforcement agencies.

He added that tracking the movement of illegal funds quickly is crucial for improving recovery efforts and strengthening legal action against organised cyber fraud networks.

The ED has stated that the investigation is continuing and further action will be taken based on evidence collected during the probe. The accused will be subject to due legal process, and final determination of guilt will be made by the competent court.