New Delhi, October 7: The police arrest five in major cyber fraud case involving a gang linked to Cambodia that cheated several people through fake investment schemes. The Delhi Police exposed the operation after tracking online transactions and fake stock trading apps used to scam victims. The accused promised high profits in stock and IPO investments, but instead siphoned off huge sums of money through cryptocurrency wallets and mule accounts.
During the investigation, officers recovered 13 mobile phones, 8 SIM cards, and 1 laptop used for executing the fraud. The gang laundered the stolen funds through decentralized crypto wallets, making it difficult to trace. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel, the group managed to move around ₹4.25 crore through multiple accounts.
Police received at least 15 complaints on the national cybercrime reporting portal, all linked to the same group. The investigation started in late August after Raj Choudhary, a 50-year-old IT executive, reported that he lost ₹10.7 lakh in an online investment scam.
Choudhary explained that he was added to a WhatsApp group promoting fake stock market investment opportunities. At first, he received small profits, which made him trust the scheme. Encouraged by false gains, he invested more. Soon after, when he tried to withdraw his funds, he discovered that withdrawals were blocked, and all communication stopped.
Using technical surveillance, the police followed digital footprints and bank transactions to identify the culprits. The arrested suspects are:
- Vikram Dhiman from Jind, Haryana
- Mukul Hasija from Zirakpur, Punjab
- Akshay Sharma from Una, Himachal Pradesh
- Hari Kishan Singh from Amritsar
- Mangu Singh, the main handler, from Sikar, Rajasthan
Investigators found that Mangu Singh controlled several Telegram groups used to coordinate mule accounts and transfer funds through crypto exchanges. He worked closely with handlers located abroad, who managed larger parts of the scam from Cambodia.
Officers revealed that this operation was not limited to one city. The same network may have cheated people across several Indian states. The police are now tracing other linked accounts and individuals to uncover the full chain of transactions.
Cybercrime experts say that such investment scams are growing rapidly in India. Criminals lure victims through social media or encrypted messaging apps, showing fake returns before disappearing with large investments. These crimes have become harder to track because fraudsters often use digital currencies like Bitcoin and Tether (USDT) to hide the money trail.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious about online investment offers. The Delhi Police Cyber Unit has launched awareness campaigns, encouraging people to verify any financial schemes before transferring money. They also advise victims to immediately report fraud to www.cybercrime.gov.in for faster response.
Many states, including Punjab, are strengthening their cybercrime cells with better training and upgraded digital forensics labs. Police officials said that collaboration between states and international agencies will be crucial to tackling scams that have cross-border links.
Experts recommend that investors use only verified trading platforms registered with SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India). They warn that “get-rich-quick” promises are the most common sign of online fraud.
In conclusion, the police arrest five in major cyber fraud case shows how online criminals are exploiting digital technology to cheat unsuspecting citizens. The arrests mark a major step toward dismantling such fraud networks, but public awareness remains the strongest defense against cybercrime.
