New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) The Cyber Police Station of Delhi Police’s South-West District on Monday busted a fake insurance fraud syndicate involved in cheating innocent citizens, particularly senior citizens, on the pretext of insurance policy renewal, arresting four accused and recovering cash, mobile phones, forged insurance documents, and other digital evidence from their possession.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sunil Kumar Rawat, 38, Rahul, 28, Sonu, 37, and Shivam alias Monu, 26.

According to police, the accused allegedly duped a senior citizen of Rs 4 lakh through a fake insurance renewal scam.

The police recovered Rs 2 lakh in cash, three keypad mobile phones, seven Android mobile phones, incriminating WhatsApp chats, and forged insurance policy documents during the operation.

A case was registered at Cyber Police Station, South-West District, vide eFIR No. 235/26 dated May 18, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The complainant reported that he had received a WhatsApp call from a person posing as a representative of a finance company. The caller falsely informed him that his insurance policy had expired and that a premium amount of Rs 4 lakh was pending for renewal. Believing the caller to be genuine, the victim transferred Rs 4 lakh into bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. Subsequently, forged insurance policy documents were shared with him through WhatsApp to make the transaction appear legitimate.

Following the complaint, a dedicated investigation team led by Inspector Kulvir Singh was constituted under the supervision of Inspector Pravesh Kaushik, SHO of Cyber Police Station, South-West District, and under the guidance of ACP (Operations) Sanghamitra. The team included SI Chetan Rana, ASI Alok, HCs Manender, Vijaypal, Yogesh, and Boop Singh.

During the investigation, the team conducted extensive technical analysis of mobile numbers, digital footprints, financial transactions, and money trails. Through sustained surveillance and local intelligence gathering, the police apprehended Rawat from Gandhi Nagar area of the national capital.

During interrogation, Rawat disclosed that Rahul had arranged mule SIM cards, bank accounts, and forged insurance documents used in the fraud. A search of his premises resulted in the recovery of two mobile phones, incriminating WhatsApp chats, and Rs 2 lakh in cash, suspected to be part of the cheated amount.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Rahul and Sonu. During questioning, they revealed their roles in arranging mule bank accounts, distributing the cheated money, and preparing forged insurance documents. Rahul further disclosed that the mule SIM cards used in the crime had been arranged through Monu, who was subsequently arrested.

Police said the accused operated in a well-coordinated manner by impersonating insurance company officials through WhatsApp calls made using mule SIM cards obtained using fake or unsuspecting identities. Victims were falsely informed that their insurance policies had expired and that urgent renewal premiums were required.

The fraudulently obtained money was transferred into mule bank accounts arranged by the syndicate. Forged insurance policy documents were then supplied to victims to create an impression of authenticity. The cheated amount was later withdrawn in cash and distributed among the syndicate members according to their respective roles.

According to investigators, Rawat acted as the telecaller and main executor of the fraud, Rahul arranged mule bank accounts and distributed cash, Sonu prepared forged insurance documents, and Monu arranged mule SIM cards used in the crime.

Police said further investigation into the case is underway to identify other members of the syndicate and ascertain the full extent of the fraud.

–IANS

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