Fugitive Deported From US Arrested by CBI in Singapore Cyber Scam Investigation

In a major legal and law enforcement development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested fugitive Harnek Singh at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport following his deportation from the United States. Singh had been evading law enforcement authorities for more than 13 years after fleeing India in May 2013. The arrest concludes a long-standing international pursuit facilitated by Interpol and the U.S. Department of Justice. The case dates back to an intricate cyber fraud scheme targeting Indian nationals residing and working in Singapore. According to investigators, fraudsters operating from India made spoofed phone calls impersonating Singapore immigration authorities. Victims were falsely informed that they had provided incorrect details on their airport disembarkation forms and faced immediate criminal prosecution and deportation unless they paid purported settlement fees. The victims were induced to transfer money through Western Union Money Transfer outlets, one of which was operated by Singh in collusion with co-accused individuals. While Singh remained absconding in the United States, a Panchkula trial court proceeded with the trial against his co-accused, who were convicted in May 2025. Following his non-appearance despite formal summons served via U.S. judicial channels, an open-dated non-bailable warrant was issued against Singh, leading to an Interpol Red Notice and a Look-Out Circular. Upon his deportation and arrival in Delhi, CBI officials formally took him into custody. He will be produced before the Special Judicial Magistrate for CBI Cases in Panchkula to face trial, marking a significant step in holding international cyber criminals accountable.