New Delhi: In a major breakthrough against organised cyber-enabled financial crime, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested a national-level shooter and medal-winning sportsperson for his alleged role as a key operative in a sophisticated ₹40-lakh cyber fraud syndicate operating across multiple states.
The arrest was made by the Cyber Cell in connection with E-FIR No. 60000101/2025 (05/25) dated June 25, 2025, registered at PS Cyber Cell North-West, Delhi, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said the victim in the case was cheated of ₹40,27,098.
The accused has been identified as Himanshu Chauhan, also known as Shooter, a resident of Naryach in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Despite a decorated sporting career—including silver and bronze medals at National Shooting Championships and gold medals at state-level events in 50-metre and 300-metre rifle categories—investigators allege he misused his influence and network to facilitate large-scale cyber fraud.
Modus Operandi
According to the investigation, victims were lured into fake online gaming platforms and fraudulent stock trading and IPO investment schemes, and induced to transfer funds through IMPS, NEFT, and UPI. On June 20, 2025, alone, ₹8 lakh was credited to a mule Axis Bank account linked to the syndicate.
Analysis of the NCRP portal revealed 40 linked complaints and two FIRs registered in Bengaluru and Mumbai (Cyber South Police Station) against the same bank account, underscoring the pan-India nature of the scam.
Key Role in the Syndicate
Sustained interrogation of earlier-arrested co-accused revealed that Chauhan played a pivotal role by recruiting mule-account providers, promising ₹1 lakh per account. Police said he acted as a crucial link between account providers and higher-level operators, systematically routing accounts to another associate based in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, for layering and onward transfer of the cheated funds. Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend remaining associates.
Operation & Investigation
The arrest followed advanced technical analysis, financial trail mapping, NCRP correlation, and discreet multi-location surveillance across Agra. Despite repeated attempts by the accused to evade arrest by changing locations, the Cyber Cell team tracked and apprehended him using real-time technical inputs and ground intelligence.
Police said further investigation is underway to identify additional mule accounts, trace the complete money trail, coordinate with other state police agencies, and recover proceeds of crime.
The operation was conducted by a dedicated team under the supervision of Inspector Sandeep Singh and the overall command of ACP Anil Sharma, officials added.
