New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Delhi Police have busted a pan-India cyber investment fraud and mule account syndicate operating across multiple states, leading to the arrest of nine accused persons from Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Punjab. Investigators have linked the network to 34 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) involving fraudulent transactions worth more than Rs 15.71 crore.According to Delhi Police, the operation by the Cyber Police Station in South-West District uncovered an organised cyber fraud network with alleged links extending beyond India. During the investigation, foreign connections linked to Qatar were unearthed, while digital evidence and disclosures indicated that operational coordination of the racket was allegedly being carried out through associates based in Dubai. Police have also worked out seven cyber fraud cases registered in Delhi involving a cheated amount of approximately Rs 2.70 crore.

The case originated from a complaint lodged by a resident of Palam Colony in New Delhi. The complainant alleged that he was added to several WhatsApp groups that projected themselves as investment learning platforms.Members of the syndicate impersonated market analysts and investment professionals and gained his confidence by conducting fabricated trading sessions, sharing fake success stories and circulating screenshots showing substantial profits.The accused persuaded the complainant to invest through a fraudulent trading application. Believing the platform to be genuine, the victim transferred Rs 4.82 lakh through multiple banking channels. Initially, he was allowed to make a small withdrawal, which was intended to build trust.Subsequently, the accused demanded additional payments on the pretext of an IPO allotment worth approximately Rs 7.81 lakh. Suspecting foul play, the complainant reported the matter through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, leading to the registration of FIR No. 75/26 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Cyber South-West District.

Given the gravity, complexity and interstate nature of the offence, a dedicated team comprising Sub-Inspector Girdhari Lal, SI Neeraj, Head Constable Sandeep, HC Lokesh, HC Manoj, HC Virender and HC Meenakshi was constituted. The operation was conducted under the close supervision of Inspector Pravesh Kaushik, SHO of PS Cyber, South-West District, and under the overall supervision of ACP Operations Sanghamitra.Investigators focused on tracing the money trail through the beneficiary bank accounts and analysing the digital footprint of suspects. Examination of financial records, transaction details, mobile data and digital communications revealed the existence of an interstate network involving account holders, facilitators and individuals responsible for arranging and supplying mule bank accounts.During the probe, the money trail led investigators to Maharashtra, where accused Shoeb Dilavar Saiyyad was traced and arrested in Nandurbar. Examination of his mobile phone revealed incriminating chats and digital evidence. Investigators found that he had allegedly travelled to Kerala with four other individuals, where purported business entities were created, and current bank accounts were opened in their names.

Police further said that the accused were connected through a WhatsApp group named "Brotherhood", where bank account details were shared. The investigation also highlighted the alleged roles of individuals identified as Riya and Sam alias Sameer, who reportedly facilitated the creation of firms and current accounts, coordinated travel arrangements and managed account-related operations.Further investigation led to the arrest of four Gujarat-based accused, Shaikh R. Imtiyaz, Kamalsha Kadarshah, Siddiki M. Mufidbhai and Hamza Humayu. With the assistance of local police from Bardoli Town in Surat, the accused were traced and apprehended.Police alleged that they were persuaded by Riya to provide current bank accounts in exchange for money and subsequently travelled to Kerala with Shoeb Dilavar Saiyyad.

According to investigators, the accused met Riya, Sam and Jamal in Kerala, where shell business entities were allegedly established, and mule current accounts opened in their names. The account credentials and banking kits were then allegedly handed over to the operators of the cyber fraud network in exchange for monetary benefits.The probe also resulted in the arrest of Muzamil Thaib from Manjeshwar in Kerala. He was involved in coordinating with account holders, arranging accommodation and sharing bank account details and transaction-related OTPs through WhatsApp groups. Another key accused, Jamaluddin Faisal, was also arrested.Police said that he played a central role in facilitating the establishment of shell firms and coordinating the opening and operation of bank accounts used in the fraud.The money trail further extended to Punjab, where Sarabjit Singh and Sonia Sharma were identified during the investigation. Both were associated with bank accounts and the movement of proceeds linked to the cyber fraud network and were subsequently arrested.

Investigators stated that Jamaluddin Faisal disclosed during interrogation that he had previously been associated with individuals connected to the network while staying in Qatar. The investigation also revealed that Sam, believed to be a principal coordinator of the operation, was allegedly managing activities from Dubai.The roles of Riya, Sam, Farhaz and a bank employee have emerged during the investigation and are currently being verified through financial records, documentary evidence and digital analysis.Police said detailed scrutiny of beneficiary accounts established their connection to 34 NCRP complaints involving fraudulent transactions exceeding Rs 15.71 crore. The seven Delhi cases worked out during the investigation include complaints registered with the Crime Branch, IFSO, Cyber Police Stations in Outer North and South districts, the Special Cell and South-West District.

The accused have been identified as Jamaluddin Faisal (30) of Kasargod, Kerala; Sarabjit Singh (43) of Amritsar, Punjab; Shoeb Dilavar Saiyyad (26) of Nandurbar, Maharashtra; Siddiki Mahamadsiddik Mufidbhai (30) of Surat, Gujarat; Shaikh Riyazuddin Imtiyaz (29) of Surat, Gujarat; Hamza Humayu (26) of Fort Songarh, Gujarat; Kamalsha Kadarshah (30) of Surat, Gujarat; Muzamil Thaib (20) of Kasargod, Kerala; and Sonia Sharma (42) of Amritsar, Punjab. Police said Jamaluddin Faisal has two previous criminal involvements in Kerala, including one case under the NDPS Act and another related to stalking.According to investigators, the syndicate targeted victims through WhatsApp investment groups and convinced them that they were participating in exclusive institutional investment programmes. Fake trading applications displayed fabricated profits to encourage repeated investments.When victims attempted to withdraw funds, they were allegedly asked to deposit additional amounts under various pretexts, including taxes, brokerage charges, IPO allotments, account verification, processing fees and margin requirements. The cheated money was then layered through multiple current accounts opened in the names of shell firms before being transferred further to conceal its origin.During the operation, police recovered eight mobile phones containing WhatsApp chats, banking records, KYC documents, account-opening forms, digital credentials, transaction records and other electronic evidence believed to be linked to the fraud.Delhi Police said further investigation into the case, including its international links and the involvement of other suspected facilitators, is underway.

/IANS