Goa, Aug. 10 -- A stolen mobile phone belonging to an 88-year-old man has helped Delhi Police uncover an alleged interstate cyber-fraud syndicate operating across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, with nine people arrested so far, officials said on Monday.

The investigation began after the elderly resident of West Patel Nagar reported his mobile phone stolen on May 19. Two days later, after obtaining a replacement SIM card, he received alerts showing that Rs.70,000 had been withdrawn from his bank account through three unauthorised transactions of Rs.25,000, Rs.25,000 and Rs.20,000.

The victim immediately reported the incident through the National Cyber Crime Helpline. An FIR was subsequently registered on July 23.

According to police, the ...