Indian Police Bust Rs. 16.30 Lakh Crypto Scam Network

• Four suspects arrested in India for defrauding a victim of crypto funds.
• Police uncover cybercrime network targeting local investors.

On January 25, 2026, Cryptopolitan reported the arrest of four suspects in a Rs. 16.30 lakh crypto scam by Indian police, revealing a broader cybercrime network targeting investors in Haryana.

The suspects allegedly used WhatsApp to lure a local resident into transferring Rs. 16.30 lakh (approximately $17,787) under the pretense of high returns on cryptocurrency trading facilitated through a counterfeit mobile application.

The victim was first contacted in September 2025 and convinced over several months to transfer funds into multiple bank accounts controlled by the perpetrators. After realizing the scam, the victim lodged a complaint with the Panchkula Cyber Crime Police, prompting an investigation that began in November 2025.

Arun Kumar, the first suspect in custody, was arrested on January 20, 2026. His interrogation led to the subsequent arrests of Mohammed Rashid, Mohammed Alam Khan, and Jasbir Singh on January 22. Authorities confirmed that three of the suspects are in judicial custody, while Mohammed Rashid was remanded to police custody for three days for further investigation.

Police stated that the fraud was linked to a larger cybercrime network, sparking widespread raids to detain additional individuals involved in similar schemes. Law enforcement issued public warnings, urging caution when engaging with online financial schemes and investment offers from unfamiliar sources.

The investigation remains active as authorities work to dismantle the broader fraud network.