Delhi Police Busts Cybercrime Syndicate: 18 Arrested in ₹2.6 Crore SBI Credit Card Fraud

Six-Month Long Operation by Delhi Police IFSO

The Special Cell’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) Unit of the Delhi Police has successfully dismantled a large-scale cybercrime syndicate after a six-month-long covert operation. The network was traced to Kakrola and Uttam Nagar areas of Delhi and was found to be targeting State Bank of India (SBI) credit card holders nationwide.

Structure of the Cybercrime Network

Police investigations revealed a highly organised chain involving:

  • Callers impersonating SBI executives,

  • SIM card suppliers,

  • Insider data providers from authorised call centres,

  • Travel agents laundering proceeds, and

  • Kingpins and finance handlers orchestrating the operation.

A total of 18 people were arrested, including masterminds, strategists, account handlers, and data brokers.

Modus Operandi of the Syndicate

The gang operated through a sophisticated three-step fraud chain:

  1. Data Theft via Insiders

    • Confidential customer data was leaked from insiders working at call centres offering Card Protection Plan (CPP) services.

    • Data included names, registered mobile numbers, and partial card details of SBI customers.

  2. Phishing Calls to Victims

    • Using the stolen data, the syndicate posed as authorised SBI customer care executives.

    • Victims were contacted under the guise of CPP renewals or verifications.

    • Fraudsters used deceptive terms like “One Time Permission” or “Customer Value Verification Code” to trick victims into disclosing OTPs and CVVs.

  3. Real-Time Looting and Laundering

    • Stolen credentials were used immediately to buy electronic gift cards from e-commerce and travel platforms.

    • These were sold in bulk to travel agents and middlemen.

    • Payment was converted into cash or cryptocurrency (USDT/Tether), making the funds untraceable.

Financial Impact of the Fraud

The operation targeted victims across multiple states, while deliberately avoiding Delhi-based SBI cardholders to evade local detection.

  • Estimated total losses: ₹2.6 crore.

  • The stolen funds were laundered through a mix of gift card resale, cash circulation, and crypto conversion.

Arrests and Recoveries

The Delhi Police arrested 18 individuals linked to the syndicate, categorised as:

  • Callers and Field Operatives: Managed phishing calls and victim targeting.

  • Data Brokers: Provided stolen SBI customer data.

  • Finance Handlers: Laundered money through crypto and cash conversions.

  • Syndicate Masterminds: Controlled planning and execution.

Police recovered:

  • 52 SIM cards used for fraudulent operations.

  • Multiple sets of customer banking details and personal records.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call on Cybersecurity

The bust highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercrime syndicates in India, where insiders, digital fraud, and cryptocurrency laundering intersect to create high-value fraud chains.

The operation underscores the importance of:

  • Stricter monitoring of call centres and insider leaks,

  • Public awareness campaigns on phishing scams,

  • Enhanced cybercrime surveillance units across states.

Delhi Police’s six-month-long investigation demonstrates the need for coordinated cybercrime enforcement as fraudsters evolve their methods to exploit both financial systems and emerging digital currencies.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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