“From Himachal to Dubai: The Dark Conspiracy of Crypto Gangs and the ISI’s Web of Espionage”
Author: Ravindra Arya
Independent Investigative Writer on National Security and Digital Propaganda
New Delhi.
Cryptocurrency is generally seen as a symbol of financial freedom, investment, and technological innovation. But recent investigations by Indian security agencies have revealed a far more dangerous face of the crypto boom in India—a face that is trapping young Indians in a web of international espionage, fraud, and digital slavery.
Evidence suggests that under the guise of “crypto tasks” and investment, a well-organized cyber-espionage campaign—with roots in Dubai, Canada, and Pakistan—is targeting India's most sensitive institutions: its army, police, railways, and cantonments.
This is not merely about money laundering or online fraud. It is a silent cyber war on India’s sovereignty. More than just financial fraud: how ISI-sponsored, Dubai-Canada-based crypto syndicates are luring Indian youths into espionage against military bases, police, railways, and cantonments.
Crypto Tasks Turn into Espionage Missions
Recently,multiple young individuals arrested in Delhi, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh made startling revelations. Initially, they were lured with promises of easy earnings in exchange for completing simple tasks like liking videos, sharing links, and sending screenshots. Gradually, they were asked to send photos and videos of railway junctions, bridges, military bases, and army vehicles—with precise locations and license plates.
What began as a harmless “task-based income model” ultimately turned into spying on high-security zones.
Investigators believe that this data was sent to cloud servers located in Dubai and Pakistan, where it was collected by hostile foreign agencies for strategic purposes.
Digital Revolution or a Well-Planned Criminal Web?
Cryptocurrency was hailed as the digital revolution of the modern era, promising the currency of the future. But it is now emerging as a tool being misused to target the country's economic system, security agencies, and common citizens. In Indian border states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, crypto-related scams worth thousands of crores have come to light, with links traced to Canada, Dubai, and Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI.
Scam Unearthed in Himachal: Crores Defrauded
During the Congress government’s tenure, Independent MLA Hoshyar Singh raised the crypto scam issue forcefully in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. Following this, the state government formed an SIT, and as the investigation unfolded, shocking facts emerged. Local networking groups active in the region were found to be completely fake, coercing people to withdraw money from government banks with false promises of doubling returns.
Army and Police Personnel Targeted
The most alarming aspect is that crypto networking schemes had spread across border regions like Pathankot cantonment, Palampur, and military zones in Jammu. Army personnel, retired officers, and policemen residing in these areas were specifically targeted. They were made to believe that investing in crypto was a patriotic and futuristic decision. In reality, this may have been a strategy to undermine the country’s defense systems.
Dubai and Canada-Based Operative Gangs: A Conspiracy to Economically Cripple India
Investigations reveal that most of these gangs operate out of Dubai and Canada. Funds are siphoned from India to foreign countries and then laundered through crypto. Many of these gangs have already duped people in Himachal and Punjab of crores and then fled India.
Suspicious Role of ISI: A New Face of Terrorism and Espionage?
The suspicious role of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI cannot be ruled out in this entire affair. For years, ISI has hollowed out border areas through narcotic networks. Now, the same networks seem to be gathering funds via crypto and channeling them into terrorist activities, as suggested by several media reports and intelligence inputs. Punjab, already a hub for narcotics, is now becoming a major center for crypto scams as well.
Where is This Network Operated From?
- The roots of this entire network lie in three countries—Dubai, Canada, and Pakistan.
- Fake digital marketing companies in Dubai are managing crypto wallets.
- ts technological backend and call center network are linked to Canada.
And in Pakistan particularly in Karachi and Lahore—ISI and other radical groups are believed to be strategically operating this network.
Several Indian tech experts have been roped into this network through honey traps and financial offers, enabling access to India’s mobile networks, digital signals, and social media data.
The “OneCoin” Scam: The Biggest Crypto Fraud in History
The entire operation bears resemblance to the world-renowned OneCoin crypto scam, masterminded by Dr. Ruja Ignatova.
It’s impossible to talk about crypto scams without mentioning Bulgaria’s Dr. Ruja Ignatova, known as the “Crypto Queen.” She launched a fake cryptocurrency called OneCoin and defrauded the world of nearly $15 billion (over ₹1 lakh crore). The FBI has announced a $100,000 reward for any information on her whereabouts.
She disappeared in 2017 and has been missing since. It is suspected that she underwent plastic surgery to change her identity. In India, Mumbai police had exposed the OneCoin scam, where investors from Mumbai lost around $11 million.
Direct Networking and the False Dream of Overnight Riches
Crypto scam gangs organize massive seminars where they sell “education packages” ranging from 100 to 200,000 Euros and offer tokens in return. Under the name of Bitcoin, fake tokens are sold with the illusion of a digital revolution. In reality, it’s all a Ponzi scheme—using funds from new investors to pay off earlier ones.
Suspicious U.S.-Pakistan Equation: A Move to Make South Asia the New Crypto Hub
Some reports claim that the Trump administration had sent crypto teams to Pakistan to make it a center for crypto investment. The goal was to make U.S. crypto investment “cheap and discreet,” while Pakistan used it for terrorist networking and espionage. This presents extremely dangerous implications for India’s security and economic future.
Links to ISI, Hezbollah, and Hamas
Early warnings from Indian agencies like RAW, NIA, and CERT-IN point toward the involvement of Pakistan’s ISI and radical Middle Eastern groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. These organizations are already using global crypto networks for terror funding and laundering black money.
Now, the same networks are being used to turn Indian youth against their own army—without firing a single bullet.
India Needs a Strong Policy and Awareness Campaign
The Indian government urgently needs strict laws and a vigilant monitoring system on this matter. At the same time, public awareness about the risks of digital investment must be increased. Every citizen must understand that “quick and effortless double returns” is a dangerous trap.
A Medium of Digital Progress or a Tool of Espionage?
If operated in a controlled and transparent manner, cryptocurrency can be a medium of economic progress. But in its current unregulated state, it is a threat to developing nations like India—not just in terms of economic loss but also by endangering military, security, and intelligence systems. What is required is vigilance, alertness, and a clear government policy.
Author: Ravindra Arya
(Independent Investigative Writer on National Security and Digital Propaganda)
