Delhi Police has conducted one of its largest anti-cybercrime operations under Operation CyHawk 5.0, resulting in the arrest of 916 individuals allegedly involved in various cyber frauds and online offences. The two-day operation, carried out on June 16 and 17, was launched following an extensive analysis of cybercrime data available up to May 31.
Addressing the media, Joint Commissioner of Police Rajneesh Gupta said the coordinated drive involved more than 715 police teams and over 2,500 police personnel. Teams from all district police units, along with 15 cyber police stations, participated in the operation, making it one of the most extensive crackdowns on cybercriminal activities undertaken by the force.
According to Delhi Police, over 2,500 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) were examined during the operation. Investigators found that the total amount allegedly lost in these cases was close to ₹700 crore. The crackdown focused on organised cybercrime networks involved in financial fraud, phishing scams, online deception and digital extortion.
Police officials revealed that several of the arrested suspects have links to known cybercrime hubs, including Jamtara in Jharkhand and Nuh in Haryana, regions that have frequently been associated with large-scale online fraud operations.
As part of the operation, law enforcement agencies dismantled multiple illegal call centres that were allegedly being used to facilitate cyber fraud. Authorities seized several laptops, mobile phones and other digital devices believed to have been used in criminal activities.
To trace and apprehend suspects, Delhi Police teams travelled across 21 states, underlining the nationwide spread of cybercrime syndicates and the complexity of the investigation.
Officials stated that around 7,000 individuals were rounded up for verification and questioning during the operation. Nearly 600 people were bound down as a preventive measure, while notices were issued to approximately 2,000 individuals as investigations continue.
Police said the objective of the operation extended beyond arrests, aiming to disrupt the wider support network that enables cybercriminal organisations to operate and expand.
Delhi Police also shared details of its ongoing probe into a major cyber fraud case involving former Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral. Investigators said the fraud originated when a company received a ZIP file that was later forwarded to its finance department. Once opened, the file allegedly compromised the company's system.
According to officials, cybercriminals gained access to internal systems and replaced an existing contact number linked to Gujral with one controlled by the fraudsters. Posing as an authorised individual, the accused allegedly instructed company employees to transfer funds.
As a result, ₹7.86 crore was transferred through four separate transactions before the fraud was detected. Delhi Police said it has successfully frozen nearly ₹4 crore connected to the fraudulent transfers and continues efforts to trace the remaining amount and identify all individuals involved.
Cybercrime continues to pose a growing challenge across India, with criminals increasingly relying on sophisticated technology, fake identities and social engineering techniques to target businesses and individuals. Police officials believe large-scale operations such as CyHawk 5.0 are essential for dismantling organised cybercrime networks and reducing financial losses caused by digital fraud.
The latest crackdown highlights the increasing focus of law enforcement agencies on combating cyber threats as online frauds become more complex and widespread across the country.
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