Delhi Police Busts Racket Extorting Money Posing as CBI Officials, 4 Arrested
The Delhi Police has achieved a significant breakthrough by dismantling a highly sophisticated transnational criminal network that operated across multiple countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Dubai. This network would extort money from innocent individuals by impersonating officials from the prominent central probe agency, the CBI. Four members of the gang have been apprehended by the police for their involvement in this large-scale scam.
Under the guise of employees from well-known courier firms such as DHL or FedEx, the fraudsters skillfully targeted unsuspecting victims. Their modus operandi involved falsely claiming that Mumbai Customs had seized a parcel registered under the victims’ names, allegedly containing MDMA narcotics drugs.
Using advanced techniques, the criminals coerced their victims into engaging in video calls with individuals posing as high-ranking officials from the CBI. The fraudsters left no stone unturned in their elaborate ruse, showcasing expertly crafted fake CBI office premises to further deceive their targets. By employing tactics of fear and intimidation, they successfully blackmailed and extorted substantial sums of money from their victims. These ill-gotten funds were then transferred to their counterparts situated abroad, intermediaries who played a critical role in this transnational scam.
The international extent of this criminal operation only came to light when a breakthrough arrest was made, leading to the apprehension of Khushbu Khan, the alleged mastermind behind this elaborate web of deceit. Hailing from West Bengal and a graduate, Khan played a central role in orchestrating this widespread fraud by arranging fake SIM cards, opening multiple bank accounts using forged names and IDs, and distributing them to various groups of fraudsters.
Alongside Khan, the other key members of the gang were identified as Choudhury Sanjay Das, Asif Khan, and Abhay Singh, all apprehended during targeted operations across different parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region.
The investigative efforts of the Delhi Police were further underscored by the seizure of crucial evidence, including a car, eight mobile phones, one laptop, four cheque books, and four ATM cards. Significantly, a sum totaling Rs 34.5 lakh was also frozen. Amid these developments, the court, recognizing the plight of victims, ordered the return of approximately Rs 21.3 lakh from three different accounts.
In the wake of this disturbing incident, the Delhi Police issued a stern advisory to the public, highlighting the paramount importance of exercising caution and diligently verifying the authenticity of calls purporting to be from the CBI or other senior police officials. Residents were strongly urged against sharing personal details, such as Aadhar card information, bank OTPs, and PAN details, with unfamiliar individuals over the phone.
This recent revelation not only sheds light on the audacious activities of criminal networks operating in multiple countries but also underscores the importance of international cooperation in combatting such transnational crimes. The diligent efforts of the Delhi Police serve as a testament to their commitment to safeguarding the interests of the public and upholding the rule of law.
As investigations into this case continue, it is imperative for individuals to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities to the authorities, and prioritize personal security by following the Delhi Police’s advisory.
