New Delhi, May 5 : In a technology-driven crackdown, the Delhi Police Metro unit achieved a breakthrough in a case involving mobile phone theft followed by fraudulent Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions amounting to Rs 1.20 lakh, a police official said.

Acting on an electronic First Information Report (E-FIR) No. 80019309/2026, registered under Section 303 (2) BNS at IGI Airport Metro Police Station, officials used advanced cyber forensics to unravel a complex financial trail.

Police said that the investigation adopted a multi-layered approach from the beginning, combining advanced cyber forensic tools with ground intelligence.

A detailed end-to-end mapping of 11 suspicious UPI transactions was carried out. This was followed by the profiling of beneficiaries and their physical verification. Analysis revealed rapid diversion of funds through multiple local merchant accounts, indicating a structured and well-planned fraud network.

Using technical surveillance, the key beneficiary, Neetu, was traced in Safidon. Her examination proved crucial in identifying the prime accused, Kushagra Ahuja.

The police persistently tracked the accused despite his using evasive tactics.

Giving an example, officials said that the accused was found to be highly mobile with no fixed residence and continuously changed locations to evade arrest. Despite this, police teams maintained continuous surveillance using technical surveillance. Multiple raids were conducted at technically identified hotspots, including Delhi and the NCR area.

After an intensive search operation on May 1, specific intelligence generated indicated the presence of the accused near Kashmere Gate. Acting swiftly, police teams launched a focused operation involving dynamic surveillance and on-ground verification.

After an intensive search at ISBT Kashmere Gate, the 32-year-old Ahuja was successfully apprehended.

Officials said that efforts are underway to recover the stolen mobile phone and trace the remaining financial trail to effect further recoveries in the case.

This case highlights the effective synergy between cyber intelligence, technical surveillance, and field operations. The successful arrest demonstrates Delhi Policeâ??s capability to tackle technologically advanced crimes and its unwavering commitment to ensuring public safety in the digital age.

/IANS