The Delhi Police have dismantled a cyber fraud operation targeting individuals seeking to adopt children, leading to the arrest of two men from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. This action was spurred by a complaint from a 30-year-old woman who alleged that she had been deceived out of Rs 1.37 lakh with the promise of a legal adoption.

Following her search for child adoption services online, the woman contacted a mobile number where a caller identified as Sachin claimed to represent an organisation dedicated to facilitating legal adoptions. He assured her that a baby boy was available for adoption, subsequently persuading her to transfer money across several instalments for registration, booking, and transportation costs.

In a bid to legitimise the process, the accused provided the victim with falsified NGO receipts, forged ultrasound reports, and other counterfeit documents, according to a senior police official. The woman became suspicious when her requests to meet the biological mother were repeatedly denied, and after transferring the funds, the accused ceased all communication.

Investigation and Evidence Collection

After realising she had been defrauded, the woman filed a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, resulting in the registration of an e-FIR. During the ensuing investigation, police scrutinised bank account details, IP logs, call records, IMEI data, and financial transactions, tracing digital footprints on various online platforms.

Investigators reviewed nearly 100 mobile numbers, ultimately locating the suspects in Bareilly. A series of coordinated raids were executed on July 31, resulting in the apprehension of Sachin, aged 46, and his alleged accomplice, Rakesh Kumar, aged 52. Upon interrogation, Sachin disclosed that Kumar, who works as a physiotherapist, was responsible for creating the falsified NGO receipts and medical documents used to mislead victims about the legitimacy of the adoption process.

Police seized numerous items during the operation, including mobile phones, SIM cards, bank documents, debit cards, PAN cards, and 14 forged stamps purportedly belonging to various hospitals and doctors. The confiscated devices and documents are currently under analysis to uncover additional victims and establish connections to other cyber fraud cases.

Broader Implications of the Scam

According to law enforcement officials, the accused had been advertising online as facilitators for legal child adoptions. They would accumulate funds under various fabricated categories before ceasing communication and disappearing after receiving payments. This approach has led to significant concern regarding the vulnerability of individuals seeking to adopt children.

Police have stated that the investigation is ongoing, focusing on identifying additional members of the fraud ring and tracing more potential victims who may have been targeted by the same scheme. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and due diligence for those seeking adoption services, highlighting the need for increased awareness to prevent similar scams in the future.

The actions taken by the Delhi Police reflect a commitment to tackling cyber fraud and protecting citizens from predatory practices. Efforts to track and apprehend additional suspects reflect the seriousness of such offences and the coordination required to confront complex cybercrime operations in today’s digital landscape.

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