Chandigarh Cyber Police Arrest Four in Major Interstate Online Fraud Case

The Cybercrime Police Station of Chandigarh has arrested four key members of an interstate cyber-fraud gang involved in a large online scam. The arrests were made based on an FIR registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Sector 17.

The operation was led by Geetanjali Khandelwal, SP (Cyber Crime).
The accused have been identified as:

• Mubarak Ali Gafar Ali Shah (24) – Resident of Thane, Maharashtra

• Ankit Surendra Jha (25) – Resident of Thane, Maharashtra

• Santosh Kumar Yadav (29) – Resident of Surat, Gujarat

• Dharmendra Kumar (36) – Resident of Kalyan (East), Maharashtra

The case began after a Chandigarh-based steel businessman filed a complaint about being cheated in an online scam.

During the investigation, police found that multiple mule bank accounts were used to move the fraud money. After analysing bank KYC details and conducting technical checks, the Cyber Crime team carried out raids in Ambarnath (West), Ulhasnagar, and Surat with help from local police. They recovered several bank passbooks, ATM cards, mobile phones, and SIM cards used in the crime.

Police said each arrested person played a specific role in the racket:

• Mubarak Ali opened and sold second-layer bank accounts used for receiving stolen money.

• Ankit Jha acted as a middleman and supplied these accounts to others.

• Santosh Yadav obtained bank accounts from unsuspecting people and used SIM cards linked to the fraud.

• Dharmendra Kumar bought these accounts and supplied them to a handler who withdrew money through ATMs.

The accused have also shared names of more associates operating from Jharkhand and Bihar. Efforts are on to arrest them. CCTV footage from banks has confirmed the role of one of the suspects. Police say they require further custodial interrogation to examine digital devices, trace the money trail, and identify more members of the gang.

The Chandigarh Police has urged the public to stay cautious:

• Verify official emails and websites directly from company portals.

• Do not trust unsolicited calls offering dealerships or franchises.

• Avoid sending money without meeting authorised company representatives.