Background and Timeline: The Delhi Police Crime Branch executed a multi-state operation culminating in the arrest of Himanshu Chauhan, a 23-year-old resident of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, January 24, 2026 . The investigation was rooted in an e-FIR registered in June 2025 at the Cyber Cell station in Northwest Delhi after a local resident was defrauded . Chauhan is a national-level shooter who has won silver and bronze medals at national championships and gold in 50-meter and 300-meter rifle events at the state level .
Modus Operandi: Chauhan allegedly leveraged his social standing and extensive network to act as a high-trust recruiter for an interstate cyber fraud syndicate . He persuaded unsuspecting individuals to provide their personal bank accounts—acting as “mule accounts”—in exchange for lucrative commissions ranging up to ₹1 lakh per account . These accounts were then handed over to handlers in Agra who used them to channel and layer siphoned funds from fake gaming, stock trading, and fraudulent IPO schemes .
Victims and Financial Impact: The primary complainant in the June 2025 case was defrauded of exactly ₹40.27 lakh through multiple transactions initiated via IMPS, NEFT, and UPI . Investigation into a single mule account linked to the syndicate revealed that ₹8 lakh was credited in just 24 hours . Analysis of the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) showed that this specific account was tied to at least 40 related complaints and two additional FIRs registered in Bengaluru and Mumbai .
Investigation and Agencies Involved: The Delhi Police Crime Branch, led by DCP Aditya Gautam, utilized technical surveillance and financial trail mapping to track Chauhan’s movements across multiple states . The Delhi Police Cyber Cell conducted discreet surveillance in Agra, eventually tracking the suspect despite his repeated attempts to evade capture by changing hideouts . Forensic teams are currently auditing Chauhan’s communication logs to unmask the higher-level handlers of the module .
Arrests and Suspects: Himanshu Chauhan (alias Shooter) was formally arrested and has reportedly confirmed his role as a key facilitator and intermediary during initial questioning . A previously arrested mule account holder provided the critical information that led investigators to unmask Chauhan’s role in the supply chain . Efforts are now intensified to locate and apprehend his associate in Agra who managed the final layering of proceeds .
Broader Implications and Trends: This case highlights a professionalized shift where “entry operators” recruit influencers or high-profile individuals to give a veneer of legitimacy to mule account pipelines. The pan-India footprint of a single account emphasizes the necessity for the I4C to facilitate faster cross-state account freezing protocols . Authorities have warned that individuals providing bank accounts for profit are being treated as active conspirators under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita .