The Delhi Police on Sunday claimed to have arrested two men who had allegedly cheated over thousand people across the country on the pretext of home delivery of liquor.

The accused were identified as Huzaifah (25), a resident of Sangam Vihar, and Hafiz Tufail (35), a resident of Lado Sarai.

According to R P Meena, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Southeast district, the matter came to light on July 24 after Karan Palta, one of the victims of the scam, lodged a police complaint.

“The complainant told police that he came across a social media advertisement on May 22 that claimed to provide home delivery of liquor during the lockdown. He contacted the mobile numbers provided in the advertisement. The person at the other end asked him to transfer Rs 4,000 for two bottles of liquor. When the liquor was not delivered, he called again and asked for a refund,” said the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

“The accused sent a UPI link and asked him to scan the Quick Response (QR) code for receiving the money. When he scanned the QR code, an amount of Rs 20,000 was deducted from his e-wallet,” said the DCP.

“During investigation, police identified Huzaifah and arrested him on Friday from Saket. According to the bank statement of Huzaifah, Rs 35 lakh was deposited in his account from February 20 to September 9,” said the DCP.

“Huzaifah told police that he had opened multiple bank accounts. The gang leader,  Naseer, used to deposit money online into his accounts and take cash from him. He further told police that Naseer lives in Bharatpur in Rajasthan and was introduced to him by Tufail. On his instance, Tufail was also apprehended,” said the DCP.

“Tufail told police that Naseer is his relative and he used to transfer money online in his bank accounts and charged a commission from Naseer. The accused have cheated around 1,500 people in the last one year. Five e-wallet accounts and three bank accounts have been frozen," said the Deputy Commissioner of Police adding efforts are on to nab Naseer.