India, July 29 -- The Cyber Police of Delhi Police arrested 12 alleged cybercriminals during a 24-hour special operation targeting ATM hotspots where proceeds of cyber fraud were allegedly withdrawn. According to police, six FIRs were registered during the operation, 68 suspected mule bank accounts were verified, and several electronic devices, banking documents and other incriminating material were seized. Police said the operation was launched after technical analysis indicated that cybercrime syndicates were using mule bank accounts to receive money defrauded from victims before withdrawing the funds from specific ATMs within the jurisdiction of the West District Cyber Police Station.
The mule accounts were found to be linked to more than 100 complaints lodged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), involving frauds worth several lakh rupees. As part of the investigation, police examined 28 identified ATMs and scrutinised footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras installed at these locations and other relevant sites. Investigators also analysed bank account details, call detail records, money trails and digital evidence to identify those involved and trace the flow of illicit funds. The operation was carried out by teams from the West District Cyber Police Station under the guidance of Inspector Vikas Kumar Buldak, Station House Officer, and ACP Vijay Singh, with overall supervision by senior district police officers. Police conducted simultaneous raids based on investigation inputs and arrested suspects allegedly linked to mule accounts, cyber fraud call centres and money withdrawal networks. The recoveries included phones, SIM cards, computers, bank documents, cards and digital devices. Further investigation is underway to trace the money trail.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.