New Delhi [India], August 10 (ANI): Delhi Police has busted a dual-stage interstate cyber fraud syndicate allegedly involved in stealing mobile phones and siphoning money from bank accounts linked to the stolen devices. Police have arrested nine people in connection with the case and made substantial recoveries.

According to police, the syndicate operated in two stages. Nine accused persons have been arrested so far, with police making substantial recoveries during the operation. The recovered items and other material are expected to assist investigators in establishing the full extent of the syndicate's activities.

In a separate operation on August 7, Delhi Police had busted a similar interstate cyber fraud network and arrested four people, including a Nigerian national, in connection with an alleged impersonation scam.

According to police, the accused allegedly contacted the victim claiming that a parcel containing US dollars and gold had arrived in India in his name. They then posed as officials and demanded money on the pretext of customs clearance and other formalities. The victim was allegedly cheated of around 1.46 lakh. Police carried out coordinated raids in Delhi, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and recovered seven mobile phones during the operation.

The police operation comes as authorities continue to crack down on organised cyber fraud networks that combine conventional crimes such as mobile theft with digital methods to target victims financially.

Earlier on August 8, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stressed the need for robust cybersecurity and digital safeguards for urban cooperative banks, announcing the launch of a Security Operations Centre (SOC) that will offer 24/7 cyber surveillance and security for the sector.

'There is an increase in digital transaction frauds. The forensic science support is crucial for banking safety and collaboration with the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) is very crucial,' Shah said while addressing the 'Sahakar Nav-Kranti' programme at the BSE International Convention Hall. (ANI)