₹2.21 Crore Digital Scam: Fake Money Laundering Scheme Used to Force Fund Transfers

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A Ghaziabad resident was reportedly defrauded of ₹2.21 crore after criminals impersonating officials from the Enforcement Directorate and the Supreme Court threatened legal action over alleged money laundering activities tied to the victim’s Aadhaar card.

Incident Overview

The cybercrime unit in Vasundhara investigated the case, which involved deceptive tactics to coerce the victim into transferring funds. Authorities have detained one suspect from Panipat, while the primary orchestrator and other associates remain at large. Investigators have also secured the freezing of approximately ₹1.25 crore in accounts linked to the scheme.

The Fraud Scheme

Fraudsters allegedly contacted the victim, claiming his Aadhaar details were involved in financial crimes. They presented themselves as representatives of the ED and the Supreme Court, warning of imminent arrest and legal consequences. The perpetrators pressured the victim to transfer funds to multiple bank accounts under the guise of cooperating with an investigation.

They reportedly sent a fabricated warrant to the victim, falsely asserting he was under digital arrest and required to comply with instructions until the inquiry concluded. Continuous communication was maintained to instill fear and simulate an ongoing investigation.

Victim’s Actions and Investigation

The victim eventually recognized the deception and reported the incident to the Cyber Crime Police Station. During the probe, law enforcement identified several bank accounts associated with the fraud and froze ₹1.25 crore. A portion of the illicit funds was traced to the account of a 23-year-old suspect, Mehtab, from Panipat.

Police apprehended him near Kaccha Phatak in the old industrial area of Panipat. According to interrogations, Mehtab’s account was compromised by another individual, Sahil Sharma, who allegedly used the details for gaming-related purposes. The account was then exploited to receive stolen funds.

Suspect Details and Recovery

Mehtab reportedly withdrew the money via cheques and transferred the bulk to Sharma after retaining a commission. Investigations revealed approximately ₹6 lakh in suspected fraudulent proceeds had entered Mehtab’s account. Authorities recovered a mobile device and documents linked to the crime.

The suspect has reportedly completed education up to Class 5. Law enforcement is actively pursuing Sharma and other potential accomplices. Investigators are analyzing financial records, mobile devices, and digital evidence to trace the broader network and track remaining illicit funds.

Cybercrime experts emphasize that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not issue digital arrests or demand money transfers for verification. Victims are advised to report suspicious communications involving threats of arrest or financial demands through official cybercrime channels.