In a case that seems straight out of a thriller, Delhi Police have arrested three members of a gang that stole Rs 150 crore by duping people online, taking inspiration from the popular Netflix series Money Heist. The gang also swindled another Rs 23 crore through similar schemes.

The arrested gang members are identified as Arpit, Prabhat Vajpayee, and Abbas, who took on screen names inspired by the show to conceal their identities. Arpit, a lawyer, was called “Professor,” Prabhat, a Computer Science graduate, went by “Amanda,” and Abbas used the name “Freddy.” The police said these aliases helped the gang maintain secrecy while creating a sense of thrill for victims.

The gang operated mainly through social media and WhatsApp groups, where they promised high returns on stock market investments. To gain trust, they initially gave small profits to their targets. Once someone invested a larger sum, the account would be blocked, and victims were threatened or pressured to deposit even more money. Using this method, the gang defrauded over 300 people across India.

Luxury hotels became their base of operations, from where they executed the fraud using laptops and mobile phones. Police raids in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and Siliguri, West Bengal, have led to the recovery of 11 mobile phones, 17 SIM cards, 12 bank passbooks, 32 debit cards, chequebooks, and multiple screenshots of online transactions and WhatsApp chats.

Investigations revealed that the gang’s network extended to Guwahati and Noida. Authorities suspect the involvement of Chinese nationals in the cyber fraud, indicating an international angle to the operation. These suspects are believed to have coordinated parts of the scam from outside India, potentially aiding in laundering the stolen money.

The Delhi Police are continuing to track down more members of the gang and their foreign contacts. Officials emphasized that this case highlights the growing sophistication of online scams, where perpetrators use technology, social media, and international connections to carry out large-scale frauds.

This cybercrime has alarmed authorities and financial experts alike, as it underscores the vulnerability of investors in online platforms. Police have urged citizens to be cautious while investing online, verify sources, and report suspicious activities immediately.

The arrests of Arpit, Prabhat, and Abbas mark a significant breakthrough in the case. Their methods—using popular culture, convincing social media tactics, and luxury cover-ups—show the blend of creativity and criminal intent in modern cyber frauds. Investigators are now focusing on dismantling the wider network to prevent future scams and bring all involved parties to justice.

This case serves as a stark reminder that cybercrime can be as elaborate as any heist movie, and vigilance remains essential in the digital age.

Delhi’s Real-Life ‘Money Heist’: Rs 150 Crore Stolen Online

A daring online scam in Delhi has left over 300 people cheated out of Rs 150 crore, with authorities revealing that the gang behind it took inspiration from the Netflix series Money Heist. The culprits, using screen names like “Professor,” “Amanda,” and “Freddy,” ran elaborate social media and WhatsApp schemes, promising high returns on stock market investments.

Victims were initially given small profits to gain trust. But when larger sums were invested, their accounts were blocked, and some were pressured to deposit even more money. The gang also allegedly swindled another Rs 23 crore through similar methods.

Delhi Police arrested the main members—Arpit, Prabhat Vajpayee, and Abbas—and recovered mobile phones, SIM cards, bank passbooks, debit cards, and screenshots of online transactions. Investigations revealed links to Noida and Guwahati, as well as suspected involvement of foreign nationals, suggesting an international cyber network.

Authorities warn investors to stay vigilant, verify online platforms, and report suspicious activity immediately. Police are still tracking more members of the gang to dismantle the entire network. This real-life cyber heist shows how criminals are using technology, social media, and global connections to target unsuspecting people—and highlights the importance of caution in today’s digital world.