6 Arrests in ₹57.25 Crore Thane Cyber Fraud Case Involving Mule Accounts

Post Views: 1

Thane police have arrested six individuals linked to a mule account operation tied to 96 cybercrime reports involving ₹57.25 crore in transactions.

Key Details of the Operation

Thane police detained six individuals suspected of facilitating a mule account operation connected to 96 cybercrime reports, with transactions totaling ₹57.25 crore. The Crime Branch Unit 4 conducted a raid in Mohol, Solapur district, following a tip-off, leading to the seizure of 155 ATM cards, 105 passbooks and chequebooks, mobile devices, and SIM cards.

Seizure of Financial Instruments and Digital Evidence

During the raid, investigators recovered three laptops, 29 mobile phones, 23 SIM cards, and ₹74,350 in cash. The seized financial instruments and digital evidence are being analyzed to determine the network’s reach and operational structure. Authorities are mapping ₹57.25 crore in suspicious transactions to specific cybercrime cases, tracing fund origins, recipient accounts, and subsequent transfers.

Role of Mule Accounts in Cyber Fraud

The investigation revealed that the accused provided bank accounts, termed mule accounts, to process illicit funds from cyber fraud schemes. These accounts acted as intermediaries for transferring stolen money. Links were found between the seized accounts and 96 reported cybercrime incidents, with some transactions traced to unauthorized online betting and gaming platforms.

Investigation and Legal Actions

Police allege that suspects either opened accounts for criminals or sourced existing accounts from third parties, offering them for fraudulent use in exchange for compensation. The recovery of 155 ATM cards and 105 passbooks and chequebooks is critical to assessing the network’s scale. Digital devices, including 29 mobile phones and 23 SIM cards, are being examined for communication records and evidence of coordination.

Analysis of Financial and Digital Data

Investigators are cross-referencing banking records, mobile data, and information from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to reconstruct financial flows. The Crime Branch is continuing to analyze seized materials to identify additional suspects and determine the full scope of the network’s activities. Further legal actions will depend on evidence gathered from financial and digital sources.

Conclusion

The operation highlights the growing threat of mule account networks in cybercrime. Authorities are working to dismantle the infrastructure and hold perpetrators accountable. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover the extent of the network’s activities and prevent future fraud schemes.