96 Suspected Mule Accounts Uncovered at Delhi Bank Branch in Cyber Hawk Operation

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Delhi Police identified 96 suspected mule bank accounts linked to a private branch in Northeast Delhi, revealing a coordinated cyber fraud and money laundering operation.

Key Details of the Cyber Fraud Operation

During a specialized Cyber Hawk operation, Delhi Police discovered 96 mule bank accounts tied to a private bank branch in Northeast Delhi. These accounts were used to channel proceeds from cybercrime through multiple banking systems before transferring funds to hawala networks and cryptocurrency wallets.

Suspect’s Account and Fraudulent Scheme

One account traced during the probe belonged to a 30-year-old unemployed individual from the region. According to police records, the suspect interacted with a man claiming to be Shiva while visiting his uncle at GTB Hospital in March 2026. The individual allegedly persuaded the victim to allow his bank account to be used, citing a fabricated need for urgent cash due to his mother’s illness.

The victim initially received ₹30,000, withdrew ₹25,000, and added ₹5,000 from personal funds. Two days later, the suspect claimed an additional ₹24,000 had been mistakenly deposited, prompting the victim to surrender that amount as well. Police allege the individual received approximately ₹2,500 for facilitating the transactions, though he stated during interrogation that he was unaware of the fraudulent nature of the activity.

Structure of Cyber Financial Crime

Delhi Police outlined the typical structure of cyber financial crime, which operates in two phases. The first involves deceiving victims into transferring funds through online scams, while the second entails routing stolen money through mule accounts before laundering it via hawala systems and cryptocurrency transactions.

Investigators noted that fraudsters frequently target unemployed youth, daily laborers, and financially struggling individuals by offering small commissions in exchange for access to bank accounts, SIM cards, or digital credentials. In some cases, victims are misled into believing the transactions relate to legitimate online gaming or investment opportunities.

Investigation and Findings

Using data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), transaction analysis, and digital forensics, authorities identified 96 mule accounts tied to the private bank branch. Further examination revealed that digital access to one account originated from Tamil Nadu. Additional linked accounts were traced to transactions involving forged Aadhaar cards and fake identification documents.

A criminal case has been registered, with investigators probing whether bank employees facilitated the account openings or if vulnerabilities in the online onboarding process allowed fraudulent KYC documents to bypass verification protocols. No evidence of direct employee involvement has been confirmed to date.

Expert Insights and Ongoing Probe

Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh emphasized that mule accounts are central to organized financial cybercrime, with perpetrators exploiting vulnerable populations through small incentives. He highlighted the importance of enhanced KYC procedures, real-time transaction monitoring, public awareness campaigns, and improved collaboration between financial institutions and law enforcement to disrupt such operations.

The investigation is focused on identifying the individual who posed as Shiva, whose mobile number was reportedly obtained using forged identity documents. Authorities are tracing the flow of funds to determine if they reached hawala operators, cryptocurrency wallets, or interstate cybercrime networks.

Conclusion

The probe continues, with final conclusions dependent on the analysis of digital evidence, banking records, financial data, and legal proceedings. No arrests have been reported, and the full scope of the network remains under investigation.