Delhi Police's East District Cyber Police Station has arrested two men in an alleged scholarship fraud that targeted Tamil-speaking residents of Tamil Nadu, and recovered a mobile phone containing data of approximately 54,000 contacts, including that of the complainant, officials said on Friday.
The case began with a complaint by Muthu Kumar, a resident of Tamil Nadu, who was allegedly lured with the offer of a scholarship for higher education and induced to transfer Rs 17,989 online on September 1. He later reported the matter on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, police said.
An FIR was registered under Sections 112(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators examined banking records, ATM CCTV footage and digital evidence to work out the case, according to the police.
How the money allegedly moved
Police said the cheated money was moved through a mule bank account. The first accused, Sachin Sharma, 29, was arrested on October 17 after ATM footage allegedly placed him at a withdrawal. During questioning, he allegedly disclosed that he had provided his sister's ATM card and UPI access details to the second accused, Sumit, in exchange for a commission. Police said Sachin withdrew Rs 10,000, transferred Rs 8,000 through UPI as directed, and received Rs 3,000 as his cut. These are police allegations and have not been proven in court.
Based on that disclosure, police arrested Sumit on October 21 and recovered a Samsung S26 mobile phone from him. Examination of the device allegedly revealed Excel files shared through WhatsApp containing details of approximately 54,000 contacts, including the complainant's information. Police said Sumit disclosed that a woman known to him had sent the files on August 6.
Wider network under probe
East District DCP Rajiv Kumar Rawal said the investigation was carried out by a team led by SHO Pawan Yadav under the supervision of ACP (Operations, East) Mahavir Prasad. Police said they are examining the recovered device to identify additional victims, financial transactions and other links to the suspected network.
Police have advised people who fall victim to cyber fraud to immediately call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or report on the cybercrime portal, so that the cheated money can be frozen in time.