The Delhi Police Crime Branch has registered a first information report (FIR) against unidentified individuals accused of illegally using the name of the Delhi Police and forging the signature of a senior officer to send fraudulent notices to social media platform X. These fake notices sought to block the accounts of the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC).
During a hearing at the Delhi High Court on November 6, X informed the court that its internal investigation had confirmed the notices were counterfeit. The platform stated that an impersonator had fraudulently used the Delhi Police’s name in the notices. X also clarified that it had not suspended the accounts of either organization based on the purported notices.
Following this revelation, the Delhi Police Crime Branch launched an investigation to identify those responsible for preparing and sending the forged communications. The inquiry is focused on how the police’s identity and the forged signature of a senior officer were exploited to attempt the blocking of the two organisations’
Separately, Delhi Police’s cybercrime unit recently arrested two alleged leaders of a Jamtara-based cyber fraud group linked to a five-year-old fraud case involving the illicit transfer of ₹27.10 lakh via a counterfeit bank website. The accused, Mohd. Mehruddin Ansari and Mohd. Arsad Ansari, surrendered before the Patiala House Courts, Delhi, on October 30, 2026, after evading arrest for several years.
The investigation revealed the complainant had contacted a phone number listed online as his bank’s customer care. He was redirected to a fraudulent website resembling the official bank site, where, following instructions, he entered his bank details and installed an application on his phone. Subsequently, ₹27.10 lakh was transferred unlawfully from his account to eight different bank accounts.
Authorities found the accused operated a cyber fraud network creating fake banking websites and running deceptive advertisements with fake customer care numbers. This network manipulated victims into divulging banking details, facilitating the fraudulent transfer of funds.
Earlier, eight other accused linked to arranging beneficiary accounts and handling stolen money were arrested. Charges were filed against Baharuddin Ansari and Basaruddin Ansari, while six others have been granted regular bail. Despite multiple raids and non-bailable warrants, Mohd. Mehruddin Ansari and Mohd. Arsad Ansari remained at large until his recent surrender.