Operation CyHawk: Delhi Police Uncover Major Online Fraud Network in Coordinated Cyber Operation

India has made a significant step forward in the fight against online fraud by launching one of the largest coordinated cybercrime crackdowns ever. The Delhi Police Cyber Unit tracked suspicious digital transactions worth ₹944 crore as part of a nationwide investigation to combat organized cybercrime.

Operation CyHawk covered 48 hours, beginning on December 10 and covering ten states in India. More than 5,000 police officers and cybercrime professionals joined the mission. Unlike previous operations, which mostly targeted scam callers or fake call centers, this one focused on the underlying systems that transfer and hide stolen money.

According to officials, the investigation was based on 4,058 cybercrime complaints filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Police used data analysis and digital tracking tools to investigate transaction patterns, frequent money transactions, common beneficiary accounts, and shared intermediaries. This demonstrated a well-organized network designed to move money rapidly without detection.

Police conducted simultaneous operations across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam. The targets included mule bank account owners, cash handlers, SIM card distributors, digital payment agents, and virtual number providers. Many of these accounts were found to handle hundreds of suspicious transactions per day.

Investigators used powerful AI-based transaction analysis, banking inputs, and fintech intelligence to track how fraud money moved across layered accounts. They discovered that mule accounts were frequently formed in the names of students, ordinary laborers, and rural people. To avoid detection, funds were quickly transferred between accounts and frequently converted to cryptocurrency. Authorities discovered connections to foreign cybercrime groups operating in Southeast Asia and other regions.

The operation revealed significant weaknesses in SIM card issuance and digital payment systems. Thousands of suspect SIM cards were recovered, with many allegedly being used to avoid KYC regulations and conduct fraudulent operations anonymously. Several digital payment facilitators are currently under investigation for potential violations.

Following the success of Operation CyHawk, officials are considering long-term solutions. A proposal for a National Anti-Fraud Framework, which includes a Financial Data Fusion Centre, is being discussed. This technology would enable real-time coordination among banks, fintech companies, payment apps, telecom operators, and law enforcement authorities.

According to police, cybercrime is no longer limited to small-scale fraud. It has evolved into organized financial crime, posing a threat to the digital economy. By focusing on the financial records rather than just the scammers, Operation CyHawk represents a change toward smarter, data-driven cybercrime prevention and improved safety for citizens using digital platforms.

Information referenced in this article is from The 420