Delhi Police have busted a cyber fraud organisation that attracted people with fake online lotteries and prize schemes, then used forged documents and many fake bank accounts to steal money from unsuspecting victims.
According to PTI, those arrested include Shahid Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Vikas, Rakesh alias Lalu, Shedrack Onainor, and Sunday John alias Liberty. Shahid Raza was reportedly caught in Punjabi Bagh with Rs 3.63 lakh in cash, several ATM cards, and a mobile phone believed to hold key evidence in the case. Following his arrest, a wider network involving both Indian and foreign nationals came to know.
Shedrack Onainor, a Nigerian national, was arrested in Khanpur while collecting the defrauded money. Authorities found that he was residing in India unlawfully after overstaying his visa. Based on disclosures made by Raza and Onainor, the remaining accused were arrested from various parts of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Reports stated that Nigerian nationals Shedrack and Sunday were the key planners behind the operation. As per The Times of India, they contacted targets through social media while posing as foreign women, using UK-based phone numbers to appear credible. In some instances, they pretended to be airport officials demanding clearance charges for supposed gift parcels. The victims were duped into transferring money that was eventually transferred through the fraudulent accounts used by their Indian partners.
Shahrukh Khan handled financial transfers through UPI platforms and operated fraudulent digital accounts to facilitate the scam. In addition to handling ATM withdrawals, Shahid Raza was responsible for distributing the money to Nigerian citizens. Vikas and Rakesh helped fabricate Aadhaar cards and opened nearly 20 fake bank accounts using forged documents and Delhi-based addresses.
PTI reported that police seized Rs 3.63 lakh in cash, ten mobile phones, forged Aadhaar and PAN cards, cheque books, bank passbooks, and other incriminating materials. The findings of fraudulent documents and the seizure of cash show a well-planned scam that uses fake identities to deceive others. Also, an investigation is underway to identify additional victims and uncover the full extent of the fraud.
