The Delhi police launched a large-scale operation against cyber-fraud networks operating throughout multiple states as part of 'Operation CyHawk 3.0'. The operation resulted in the arrest of 2,563 individuals and provided links to more than Rs 627 crore worth of fraudulent transactions, an official said on Saturday according to a Hindustan Times report.
The operation was conducted over a two-day period, Thursday and Friday, and involved actions across Delhi and more than 10 states, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Kerala, the official said.
Also Read | ‘Paid promotion’: Delhi Police warn of action over viral ‘missing girls’ claims on social media
More than 5,000 officers participated in the operation. Police said 6,552 people were taken in for questioning during the operation. They arrested or held 955 suspects and issued 1,608 notices under relevant laws. A total of 299 new FIRs were filed, and 262 previous cases were connected during the drive, they said.
Who was the target?
According to police, the operation was aimed at people who used mule bank accounts to facilitate financial frauds through SIM cards, intermediaries and digital means. Investigations found these operations to have been occurring through various types of cyber fraud, including fake investments and job postings.
During the operation, police seized huge amounts of digital devices, SIM cards, cash, gold and other precious metals besides also large quantities of cryptocurrency proceeds linked to fraud cases.
What was uncovered during Op?
Several major interstate rackets were uncovered during the operation. In one case, police recovered Rs 22 lakh in cash, foreign currency and gold and silver jewelry weighing over 1.8 kg. Another case involved breaking up an investment fraud network that allegedly funneled over Rs 9.28 crore through mule accounts. This network was linked to 84 cyber complaints.
Also Read | Delhi biker falls to death after plunging into pool-sized pit dug by Jal Board, echoes Noida techie tragedy
In a separate operation, police tracked suspects in Assam and Tawang, which led to the seizure of several mobile devices and the freezing of cryptocurrency worth around Rs 30 lakh, police stated according to Hindustan Times report.
Delhi Commissioner of Police Satish Golchha said Operation CyHawk represents a long-term effort to disrupt the organised system supporting cyber fraud by targeting its financial and digital infrastructure.
The police stated that the intelligence and evidence gathered during the operation are being reviewed for further action. Follow-up investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the fraud networks.
