CBI Brings Back Harnek Singh To India In Singapore Scam Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully brought back to India a long-absconding accused, Harnek Singh, who had been evading investigation and trial since 2013. Singh was deported from the USA and apprehended by CBI officials on his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, on September 9, 2026.

The accused was wanted in a case registered by the CBI in 2016 for offences of conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and using forged documents as genuine under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act. The case involved a scam where Indian nationals residing or working in Singapore were contacted through spoofed calls by fraudsters operating from India.

The fraudsters impersonated officials of Singapore Immigration authorities and falsely informed the victims that they had furnished incorrect information in their disembarkation forms at the airport and were liable to criminal prosecution and deportation. The victims were then induced to pay purported settlement fees/fines through Western Union Money Transfer to designated receivers in India.

The investigation revealed that the cheated money was received through a money-transfer outlet operated by Harnek Singh, in association with co-accused Aditya Bhardwaj and Deepak Jain. Singh had fled India in May 2013 and subsequently entered the USA illegally, where he remained absconding for more than a decade.

While Harnek Singh continued to remain absconding, the trial against co-accused Aditya Bhardwaj and Deepak Jain was concluded, and both were convicted on May 26, 2025. Despite summons and a bailable warrant having been served upon him in the USA through the U.S. Department of Justice, Harnek Singh failed to appear before the trial Court.

Consequently, an open-dated non-bailable warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Court of the Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI, Panchkula, on April 22, 2024. The CBI then pursued the matter through Interpol channels, resulting in the publication of an Interpol Red Notice against him, and also caused a Look-Out Circular to be opened against his passport.

Harnek Singh will be produced before the Court of the Special Judicial Magistrate (CBI Cases), Panchkula, Haryana, at the earliest. The successful deportation of Harnek Singh is a significant development in the case, and the CBI will continue to investigate and prosecute those involved in the scam.

The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crimes. The CBI's efforts to bring back Harnek Singh demonstrate the agency's commitment to pursuing fugitives and ensuring that they face justice in India.

The scam had affected several Indian nationals residing or working in Singapore, and the CBI's investigation had revealed a complex web of fraud and deception. The conviction of co-accused Aditya Bhardwaj and Deepak Jain had already sent a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated.

The deportation of Harnek Singh is a significant step towards ensuring that those involved in the scam are held accountable. The CBI will continue to work tirelessly to investigate and prosecute such cases, and to bring fugitives back to India to face justice.

In conclusion, the successful deportation of Harnek Singh is a major breakthrough in the Singapore scam case. The CBI's efforts demonstrate the agency's commitment to combating transnational crimes and ensuring that fugitives face justice in India. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation in combating such crimes and the need for continued vigilance to prevent similar scams in the future.