Mangaluru police bust Nepal-based investment fraud syndicate, 11 arrested

The case originated from a complaint in which a victim was allegedly cheated of ₹1.38 crore through transfers to 10 bank accounts later found to be linked to multiple cybercrime cases across the country.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the syndicate operated through a network of Indian operatives who coordinated online investment scams using social media platforms. Five additional suspects are absconding, while the role of foreign associates is being investigated separately.

The police seized a laptop, 21 mobile phones, 20 SIM cards, and multiple debit and credit cards during the operation.

Investigators revealed that digital forensic analysis of seized devices uncovered 624 bank accounts suspected to have been used to route fraudulent proceeds. Over 4,580 complaints linked to these accounts have been registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, with transactions in one account alone exceeding ₹167 crore.

Authorities also warned about the growing threat of “digital slavery,” where Indian youths are lured overseas with false job promises and forced into cyber fraud operations.

Further investigations are underway.