Police launch Op Mule Hunt, nab 10 for cyber fraud

Times News NetworkChandigarh: Under Operation Mule Hunt, cyber crime police station, Chandigarh, busted an organised network involved in large-scale cyber fraud. Ten key accused were arrested in connection with multiple FIRs registered for misuse of mule bank accounts (used by scammers to offload illegal money in the short term).
Based on information received from a portal of the ministry of home affairs, several bank accounts operating within Chandigarh jurisdiction were found to be linked to cyber fraud complaints registered in other states, police said. Subsequent analysis revealed that these accounts were used as mule accounts in various cyber frauds, including digital arrest scams and part-time job frauds, involving illegal transfer, withdrawal, and layering of money through technical means.During investigation of FIRs, police identified multiple suspicious bank accounts operated by the accused. It was found that the accused knowingly allowed their bank accounts to be used in return for commission. In several instances, proceeds of fraud were withdrawn through cheques, transferred to other accounts, or converted into cryptocurrency to conceal the money trail.Accused Ritik, Rythem, and Akash admitted that their bank accounts were used to receive and route fraud proceeds. Ritik disclosed that part of the money was converted into cryptocurrency using online platforms, while Akash admitted that he permitted the use of his bank account for alleged crypto-related transactions in exchange for money. Police said these acts established criminal conspiracy and active participation in cyber fraud.Accused Mohamad Danish, Charandas, and Archit were found to be operating bank accounts used for Layer-1 transfers and subsequent withdrawals. All three admitted to allowing their accounts to be used for commission, indicating a common pattern of mule account fraud.Accused Mohd Toshik and Dilpreet Singh admitted that unknown persons transferred large sums of money into their accounts, which were later withdrawn through cheques. Accused Ankit and Rohan Dubay also confessed to facilitating fraudulent transactions through their bank accounts for commission.MSID:: 126684195 413 |