Police Officers’ Elaborate Fraud Scheme Uncovered

A sub-inspector from the Delhi Police, Ankur Malik, orchestrated a significant fraud involving cybercrime recoveries. Instead of returning over Rs 2 crore to victims, Malik devised a plan to reroute the funds. He obtained a court order using fake complainants and transferred the money to accounts of his acquaintances. His accomplice in this scheme was fellow sub-inspector Neha Punia. Both officers, married to other people, aimed to start anew under false identities.

Vacationing with Stolen Funds

With the illicitly acquired money, Malik and Punia embarked on vacations to popular tourist destinations such as Goa, Manali, and Kashmir. Their plan was to eventually settle in the hilly regions of Madhya Pradesh under new identities. However, their escape was short-lived as the Delhi Police launched an extensive investigation.

Investigation and Arrest

The disappearance of Malik and Punia prompted a thorough investigation by the Delhi Police. Utilizing technical surveillance and ground-level intelligence, the police tracked down the duo in Indore after a four-month search. They were arrested and brought back to face charges.

Seized Assets and Further Arrests

Upon their arrest, authorities recovered significant assets including gold worth over one crore rupees, Rs 12 lakh in cash, multiple mobile phones, a laptop, ATM cards, and other items. The gold was purchased with the stolen money to make it difficult to trace. Additionally, three individuals who received the rerouted funds—Mohammad Ilyas, Aafi alias Monu, and Shadab—were also apprehended.

Implications of the Fraud

The case highlights vulnerabilities in handling cybercrime recoveries and raises questions about internal checks within law enforcement agencies. The police are continuing their investigation to uncover any additional accomplices involved in this elaborate fraud.