Delhi restaurateur held in ₹3.3 crore cyber fraud mule account case

Accused allegedly facilitated banking channels for digital arrest scam network; investigators trace layered transactions across multiple accounts, recover digital evidence, and search for additional suspects.

Delhi Police have arrested a 49-year-old restaurateur for allegedly providing mule bank accounts used in a large-scale cyber fraud network involving “digital arrest” scams. The accused, Mohammad Javed, is reportedly the son of the founder of the popular restaurant brand Khan Chacha, which was later acquired by another businessman. His brother has also been detained for questioning in the same case.

According to police, the investigation has uncovered fraudulent transactions worth around ₹3.3 crore, part of which was routed through accounts linked to the accused, a resident of Sainik Farm in Delhi. The case came to light after multiple complaints were flagged on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), prompting a detailed financial probe.

Suspicious transactions and account trail

During scrutiny of complaints, investigators identified a bank account that showed repeated suspicious inflows linked to cyber fraud victims. Further analysis revealed that the account belonged to a company named “Saleem Javed Rule The Rolls Since 1960”, operating from Khan Market and associated with the franchise business of Khan Chacha.

Police said that the account was initially opened for restaurant and catering operations but was later misused for routing illicit funds. Around 21 complaints have been linked to the account, with total fraud exposure estimated at ₹3.3 crore. Of this, nearly ₹54 lakh was credited before being layered and transferred across multiple accounts to obscure the money trail.

Investigators also found that the accused allegedly deleted chat records in an attempt to conceal communications related to the transactions. However, digital evidence was recovered during forensic analysis, strengthening the case against those involved.

Alleged commission-based money laundering network

Police officials stated that during interrogation, the accused and his brother admitted that they allowed their business accounts to be used by others due to financial difficulties, in exchange for a commission of 2–3%. The accounts were allegedly used as conduits to receive and distribute proceeds of cyber fraud operations.

Authorities have also confirmed that three additional associates linked to the network are currently absconding and a search operation is underway to trace them. Further investigation is in progress to map the full extent of the financial trail and identify other beneficiaries involved in the racket.