New Delhi, Oct 13: Eleven cyber criminals were arrested and a potential loss of Rs 7.25 crore through digital arrests, prevented by the Delhi Police, who busted an international syndicate linked to gangs in Cambodia and other South-East Asian countries, an official said on Tuesday

The arrests by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police led to the working out of cybercrime cases spread across different states, including Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, and resulted in a freeze/hold on Rs1.96 crore in HDFC and SBI accounts related to fraud cases, the police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, IFSO Unit, Gaurav Tyagi said in one case probe began on the complaint of Pradeep Kumar Das, 69, retired Scientist “F”, Director, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, regarding a “digital arrest” fraud of Rs 1.25 crore, the police said.

During the investigation, the police identified a hotel and a flat in Sector-7, Dwarka, along with the mobile number 8617839064, which was registered/linked with the HDFC Bank account of the MR Traders and used for facilitating cybercrime, said a statement.

The main handler was identified as Anish Khan, a resident of Etah, UP, who was in contact with foreign-based handlers through Telegram and involved in operating/managing the bank account allegedly used for cybercrime-related transactions.

As per the investigation, he was allegedly working on a 5.5 per cent commission basis. The commission was allegedly received in USDT (Tether/cryptocurrency) and subsequently converted into Indian Rupees through different cryptocurrency exchanges/platforms, the police said.

Other accused were identified as Mahfuzar Rahman and Izhar Alam, both from West Bengal; Altaf Hussain, a resident of J&K; and Intekhab, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, UP, the police said.

The mastermind of another related case was identified as 31-year-old Anil Sagu alias Krishna, a resident of village Dabri, District Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. He was arrested in connection with a case registered by the Special Cell.

The DCP said that Sagu collected commission in USDT (Tether/cryptocurrency) and distribute it among his associates.

He was the main handler who remained in touch with foreign associates through Telegram, the police said.

Other arrested accused were identified as Neeraj Kumar Mittal, an account holder from Meerut; Kanwar Pal, introducer for the bank account in Meerut; Saif Ali Khan, resident of Gajraula, UP; Ranbir, resident of Rampur, District Shimla; Prabhat Rai alias Ashutosh, resident of Mangolpuri, Delhi.

During the investigation, the police recovered the cheque book of the alleged bank account No. 50200099629024, maintained with HDFC Bank, of MR Traders.

Six Mobile phones, which contain the WhatsApp chat, Telegram chat, and the crypto currency transaction history and other incriminating evidence relevant, with the case, were also seized.

As many as seven Telagram channels have been identified through which the sale and purchase of mule bank accounts was being undertaken by the accused, said the police.

An analysis of Telegram and WhatsApp chats revealed the sharing of bank credentials, linking the accused to 78 National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) complaints across different States, with further investigation ongoing. The total amount involved in these 78 NCRP complaints was Rs 73 crore, said the statement.

Mumbai, Oct 13: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) continued its investigation into suspicious activities linked to a WhatsApp group for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, conducting raids at five locations across the state and questioning several individuals, sources said.

During the investigation, the agency uncovered an international WhatsApp group comprising members from several countries, including Pakistan and Gulf nations.

The ATS is examining the activities of the group and the nature of the discussions taking place among its members to determine whether there are any links to suspicious activities, officials said.

Earlier on Monday, the Maharashtra ATS questioned a teacher residing in Rajapur in Ratnagiri district for several hours in connection with the case.

The teacher was released after the questioning, while the investigation continued into the WhatsApp group that reportedly included members from different countries, officials said.

According to the information received by the investigating agency, the group also had individuals associated with religious organisations as members.

Religious topics were reportedly discussed in the group, prompting the agency to examine the nature of these conversations and the possible activities of those participating in them.

The ATS suspects that the WhatsApp group could potentially have links to the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. However, no concrete information or evidence has emerged so far to establish a connection between the group and the outfit.

The suspected link remains under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge as the agency examines the available information.

The agency is seeking to determine the identities of those associated with the WhatsApp group and understand the nature of their interactions.

Investigation into the case is currently underway, according to the officials.

Jaipur, Oct 13: Security agencies have recovered a consignment of suspected explosives and weapons from the Rawla Mandi area of Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, near the Pakistan border.

Two youths from Punjab have been arrested in connection with the case, while a search operation is underway in the surrounding areas.

According to preliminary information, the consignment was allegedly dropped by a drone from across the Pakistan border on Monday night.

The recovered material reportedly includes RDX, two pistols, four magazines, around 650 cartridges, four pairs of batteries and two remote-control devices.

The exact nature and quantity of the seized material are yet to be officially confirmed.

The operation was conducted by teams from the Border Security Force (BSF), the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and Rawla police following an intelligence input about suspicious packets being dropped near Chak 4 KNM W Tail, under Gram Panchayat 12 KND in the Rawla area.

According to officials, the ANTF had received information that three packets had been dropped by a suspected Pakistani drone in a field near a canal at around 10 p.m. on Monday. Initially, the packets were suspected to contain narcotics. Acting on the input, security personnel searched the area and recovered the suspicious packets. The contents reportedly included weapons and explosive material. Two youths were apprehended during the operation.

Preliminary information suggests that one is from Jalandhar and the other from the Firozpur area of Punjab. Their alleged roles and links to the consignment are being investigated.

ANTF Inspector General Vikas Kumar said a large quantity of ammunition and suspected explosives had been dropped in Rajasthan using drones. He said security agencies were investigating who had sent the consignment and what its intended purpose was.

The entire matter was under investigation, and further details would emerge as the probe progressed. The IG confirmed that two accused had been arrested in connection with the case.

Following the recovery, security agencies have tightened surveillance in the border region. Search operations are underway in agricultural fields, along canal banks and in nearby areas to determine whether any additional packets or suspicious material were dropped.

Investigators are also questioning the arrested youths to establish their alleged connections, identify those behind the consignment and determine where the weapons and explosives were intended to be delivered.

A specialised team has reportedly been called from Jaipur to examine the seized material and establish its precise composition and quantity. Security agencies are continuing their investigation, and further details are awaited.