Delhi Police Bust Interstate Crypto Fraud Network, Arrest Three

The investigation began after a complaint from a person who alleged that he had been cheated of Rs 7.86 lakh. According to police, the complainant was contacted through a Telegram group and was persuaded to complete online tasks and invest in cryptocurrency in return for the promise of substantial profits.

The victim subsequently transferred Rs 4.66 lakh and Rs 3.20 lakh in two instalments as instructed by the alleged fraudsters. However, the promised returns were not provided and the money was also not returned. The accused allegedly stopped responding to the complainant thereafter.

An e-FIR was registered at the Cyber South police station under Sections 318(4), 319 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following which a probe was launched.

As part of the investigation, police conducted technical and financial analysis to track the movement of the allegedly fraudulent funds. Several mule bank accounts were identified as being used to receive and transfer the proceeds. Police said Rs 4.66 lakh from the complaint was traced to one such account, while another account had received Rs 5.22 lakh.

The investigation led police to Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, where accused Karan Biswas and Mohit Sarkar alias Monu were traced and arrested.

Investigators subsequently identified Vinay Mandal, who was already in custody in connection with another cyber-fraud case registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Rohtak, Haryana. He was formally arrested in the Delhi case and later taken into three-day police custody for further questioning.

Police said the network allegedly used Telegram-based task and cryptocurrency investment schemes to convince victims to transfer money. Mule bank accounts were reportedly procured through intermediaries for commissions and used to receive, move and withdraw the fraud proceeds. The money was also allegedly converted or used for cryptocurrency transactions, including through USDT.

Two mobile phones, a Canara Bank passbook and other digital and financial material were recovered during the investigation, police said.

According to police, Biswas and Sarkar have no previous criminal record, while Mandal was previously booked in FIR No. 148/25 at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Rohtak.

Police said the investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of three alleged members of the network and helped uncover the use of mule bank accounts to route funds obtained through cyber fraud.

Further investigation is underway.