Three Arrested in Aligarh Over ₹85 Crore Cyber Fraud and Mule Account Ring
Three individuals have been taken into custody in Aligarh in connection with a ₹85 crore cyber fraud operation involving interstate financial crimes and the use of mule accounts.
Overview of the Cyber Fraud Operation
Law enforcement agencies have seized assets valued at ₹2.90 crore as part of the investigation into a large-scale digital fraud network that leveraged deceptive tactics to siphon funds from victims. The operation, led by Lodhha Police Station and the Cyber Cell, targeted a syndicate that exploited investment schemes, fake employment opportunities, and fabricated legal threats to extort money from unsuspecting individuals.
Details of the Arrests
The arrested suspects, identified as Ankit Sharma from Krishna Nagar Colony, Mayank Kumar Singh, and Vishal Verma from Shastri Nagar Cantonment Road, were responsible for establishing shell companies using falsified documentation to facilitate financial transactions. Their activities were traced through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), where 57 formal complaints were linked to the network’s banking infrastructure.
Operation Across Multiple States
The fraud ring operated across multiple states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, and Karnataka. Victims were lured through promises of high returns on investments and part-time job opportunities, while others faced intimidation via fake legal threats demanding immediate payments.
Financial Activities and Mule Accounts
Once funds were transferred, they were routed through a series of mule accounts to obscure the source of the money. Investigations revealed that the suspects created corporate accounts under fictitious business names, using forged identification and registration documents. Banking records show that the syndicate heavily utilized accounts at the Bank of Baroda, with specific accounts linked to high volumes of fraudulent transactions.
Key Banking Details
One account associated with Ankit Sharma received 18 complaints, with ₹5.25 crore in illicit funds processed, of which ₹80.48 lakh was frozen. A joint account under the names Yash and Ankit was tied to 16 complaints involving ₹3.35 crore, with ₹48.60 lakh frozen. Collectively, the seized funds exceed ₹2.90 crore, which may be used to compensate affected victims.
Legal Background of the Suspects
Ankit Sharma, one of the primary accused, has prior involvement in 10 cyber-related cases across Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Andhra Pradesh. Mayank Kumar Singh and Vishal Verma each have six and three criminal cases linked to cybercrime, respectively.
Recovery of Evidence and Ongoing Investigations
During raids, investigators recovered digital evidence, including smartphones, forged banking documents, corporate seals, and transaction records. The operation, supervised by Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Manish Kumar Mishra, was initiated following intelligence gathered through the NCRP portal. Forensic teams are analyzing seized devices to reconstruct communication patterns and identify the syndicate’s broader structure.
Future Steps and Collaborations
Law enforcement is expanding its probe to locate additional members of the network, with ongoing collaboration between state agencies. Authorities are examining whether the Aligarh-based group functioned independently or served as a node for larger international cybercrime organizations. Further arrests and financial freezes are expected as investigations continue to trace secondary transactions across jurisdictions.
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