New Delhi, Delhi Police have busted an interstate cyber fraud gang and arrested eight people, accused of defrauding a person of 24 lakh rupees in the name of online investment. Police provided this information on Wednesday.

The accused include individuals with educational qualifications such as B.Tech, MBA, and diplomas in cybersecurity. Police said they were allegedly operating ‘mule’ bank accounts (accounts obtained for a commission) and transferring fraudulently obtained funds to cyber criminals based abroad, and also had connections with individuals in Cambodia.

The accused have been identified as Harmanjot Singh and Kesar Masoodi, residents of Mohali, Punjab; Abhishek, a resident of Panipat, Haryana; Mohammad Zahid and Aamir Malik, residents of Jafrabad, Delhi; Amarjeet Ahirwar and Alok Sharma, residents of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; and Anant Pandey, a resident of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.

Fraud of 24 lakhs through fake trading platform

Officials said Pandey was in direct contact with foreign handlers via WhatsApp and acted as a link between those providing ‘mule’ bank accounts in India and foreign cyber fraud gangs connected to Cambodia. According to police, the complainant was added to a social media group where fraudsters, posing as stock market experts, induced members to invest in a fake online trading platform.

Police said fake screenshots showing huge profits were shared to gain the victims’ trust. Believing the scheme to be real, the complainant sent approximately 24 lakh rupees to various bank accounts provided by the accused. Police stated that when he tried to withdraw his investment and profits, the fraudsters allegedly demanded more money under various pretexts.

Investigation ongoing into 4.5 crore in suspicious transactions

Subsequently, on March 20, an e-FIR was registered at the cyber police station in South-West Delhi under relevant sections of the Indian Justice Code, following which a dedicated team began the investigation. Police said the money was routed through multiple ‘mule’ bank accounts opened in the names of fake companies in different states.

They recovered eight mobile phones, banking documents, commission distribution records, and other digital evidence from the accused. Officials said investigations are ongoing into over 60 complaints linked to these ‘mule’ accounts registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), and suspicious transactions worth approximately 4.5 crore rupees were detected within just 14 days.

Delhi

Delhi, the capital of India, has a rich history spanning over a millennium, having served as the seat of power for numerous empires, including the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, and British Raj. The city is dotted with iconic landmarks like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb, reflecting its diverse cultural and architectural heritage. Today, it stands as a bustling metropolis that seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern urban life.

Mohali, Punjab

Mohali, officially known as Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, is a planned city in the Indian state of Punjab that was established in 1966 as a satellite town for Chandigarh. It gained prominence as a major hub for information technology and business, while also being famous for hosting the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, a key venue for international cricket. The city was named after Sahibzada Ajit Singh, the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh, honoring his sacrifice in Sikh history.

Panipat, Haryana

Panipat, located in Haryana, India, is a historic city best known for three pivotal battles (1526, 1556, and 1761) that shaped the course of Indian history. These battles involved the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, and the Maratha Empire, marking major political shifts in the region. Today, Panipat is an important industrial and cultural center, with monuments and memorials commemorating its rich and turbulent past.

Jafrabad, Delhi

Jafrabad is a historic locality in northeastern Delhi, originally established as a Mughal-era hunting lodge and garden complex by the nobleman Jafar Khan in the 17th century. Over time, the area developed into a dense residential and commercial neighborhood, reflecting Delhi’s layered history of transformation from imperial grounds to urban sprawl. Today, it is a bustling part of the city, known for its markets and diverse community, with its origins largely obscured by modern development.

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Jabalpur is a historic city in Madhya Pradesh, India, known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. It served as an important military and administrative center during the British Raj, and was also a key location in the Maratha Empire. The city is famous for the marble rocks of Bhedaghat, the Dhuandhar Falls, and ancient temples, blending colonial history with natural wonders.

Rewa, Madhya Pradesh

Rewa is a historic city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, known as the former capital of the princely state of Rewa. It has a rich history linked to the Baghela dynasty, and is famously associated with the discovery of the white tiger, a rare genetic variant first spotted here in 1951. The city also features landmarks like the Rewa Fort and the nearby Keoti and Purwa waterfalls, blending cultural heritage with natural beauty.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation renowned for its ancient Khmer Empire, which built the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex in the 12th century. The country experienced a tragic period under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s, which led to widespread devastation. Today, Cambodia is rebuilding its culture and economy, with Angkor Wat remaining a major symbol of its heritage and a popular tourist destination.

South-West Delhi

South-West Delhi is a prominent district in India’s capital, known for its blend of urban development and historical significance. It includes areas like Hauz Khas, which dates back to the medieval era with its 13th-century reservoir and ruins from the Delhi Sultanate, as well as modern hubs like Dwarka. The district also features important cultural sites such as Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and reflects Delhi’s evolution from ancient to contemporary times.