One man, 20 firms and ₹180 crore: How Police uncovered a hidden cyber money scam trail

Delhi Police traced a cyber fraud network that used multiple companies and bank accounts to move stolen money across states and hide transactions.

Delhi Police have uncovered a cyber-fraud network that moved money through a group of firms and bank accounts to route funds taken from online scam victims. Officers arrested two men accused of managing the flow of money linked to fraud cases worth about Rs. 180 crore, an official said on Friday.

Delhi Police have uncovered a cyber fraud network that moved large sums through multiple firms. (Pixaby)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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Police traced the case during a drive called Operation Cy-Hawk, which focuses on tracking organised cybercrime. Teams reviewed complaints filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and flagged several accounts that received repeated transfers linked to fraud.

Fraud Trail Flagged through Bank Accounts

One such account, held with a bank in New Delhi district, drew attention after it received funds from multiple victims. Records showed the account belonged to a director of a limited company with an address on Barakhamba Road in Connaught Place. Police found that the account was used to receive and pass on money taken through online scams.

After a complaint, police registered a case on November 19 last year and began tracking those behind the transactions. During the inquiry, officers found that the account stood in the name of Rajesh Khanna, who had been appointed as a director of the firm. Khanna later told police that he had set up the company and opened the account on the instructions of two associates, Sushil Chawla and Rajesh Kumar Sharma. He said they handled the movement of funds.

Network of Firms Used to Route Money

Khanna also told investigators that the two men helped set up at least 20 other firms to move money from cyber frauds. Police examined the accounts linked to these firms and found that funds passed through several accounts before reaching the final handlers.

Police linked 176 cyber-fraud complaints to these accounts. The total value of the transactions stood at about Rs. 180 crore. Victims came from several states, which showed the reach of the network.

During the investigation, police learned that Khanna had died at a hotel in Noida. Chawla and Sharma had earlier joined the inquiry but did not respond to questions and ignored notices. Police recovered messages from their phones that showed they controlled the accounts linked to the firms.

Based on digital records and money trails, police said Khanna acted as a front for the two men. During questioning, the arrested men said they worked for a person named Pawan Ruia, who has links to similar cases in West Bengal.

Police arrested Sushil Chawla, 58, from Greater Noida, and Rajesh Kumar, 39, from Gurugram. Officers seized two mobile phones and a laptop. A court sent the accused to police custody for further investigation.