World · India Bureau
CBI obtains custody of fugitive in Singapore scam case after U.S. deportation
Harnek Singh, who has evaded authorities for over a decade in connection with international fraud targeting Indian nationals, has been returned to India following his extradition from the United States.
LSN India ·
The Central Bureau of Investigation has secured custody of Harnek Singh, a key accused in a sprawling scam case that victimized Indian nationals in Singapore through sophisticated spoofing operations. Singh was deported from the United States and handed over to CBI officials, marking a significant breakthrough in the decade-long investigation that began after his disappearance in 2013.
The accused had allegedly orchestrated schemes involving spoofed calls—fraudulent communications masquerading as legitimate contacts—to defraud Indians living and working in Singapore. The international scope of the operation, combined with Singh's fugitive status across multiple jurisdictions, had complicated investigative efforts and underscored the challenges law enforcement agencies face in tackling transnational financial crimes.
Singh's deportation follows coordinated efforts between Indian authorities and U.S. law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the fugitive. The successful extradition represents enhanced cooperation in addressing cross-border fraud cases that increasingly target diaspora communities across Southeast Asia.
The CBI is expected to conduct detailed interrogation to uncover the full extent of the criminal network and trace proceeds allegedly generated through the scam operations. Investigators will also seek to identify other individuals involved in the conspiracy and any financial institutions potentially exploited during the fraudulent activities.