Kanpur Police Raids 35 in 30 Crore Mule Account Operation

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Kanpur Commissionerate Police have detained 35 individuals in a ₹30 crore mule account operation under Operation Cy-Vajra.

Operation Cy-Vajra

Kanpur Commissionerate Police have detained 35 individuals suspected of involvement in mule account operations, marking a significant advancement in their efforts against organized cybercrime through Operation Cy-Vajra. The investigation uncovered connections to approximately 100 cyber fraud complaints valued at ₹30 crore, linked to fraudulent activities in betting platforms and investment schemes.

Investigation Details

DCP West S.M. Qasim Abidi confirmed that the arrested individuals facilitated access to their bank accounts, including ATM cards, chequebooks, and internet banking credentials, to cybercriminals in exchange for financial incentives. These accounts were utilized to launder proceeds from illicit transactions, primarily involving betting and investment fraud.

Abidi highlighted that the accused provided full control of their financial instruments to external parties, enabling the movement of illicit funds. Authorities are currently tracing the broader network, including the flow of money through multiple layers.

Role of Arrested Individuals

The arrested individuals are classified as “first-layer” mules, with investigators working to identify the central figures orchestrating these operations. Police are also examining the individuals who initially obtained account access from the detained suspects, with expectations of further arrests targeting higher-level perpetrators.

Previous Operations

This operation aligns with a series of mule account enforcement actions conducted by Kanpur police in 2026. Earlier this year, a network was dismantled for establishing 25 bank accounts within six months, each sold for approximately ₹7,000. A separate investigation revealed a syndicate allegedly involving bank officials linked to ₹125 crore in unauthorized transactions.

Expert Insights

Recent cases include a school-owner couple whose accounts were exploited after being deceived with false promises of political funding. Cybersecurity analysts emphasize that mule accounts are pivotal in organized cybercrime, as they complicate financial investigations by diverting funds through multiple intermediaries. Legal experts note that while providing account access for unlawful purposes can result in prosecution, all accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Ongoing Efforts

Ongoing efforts include forensic analysis of banking records and digital evidence to map the full scope of the financial infrastructure. The investigation remains active as authorities work to dismantle the network entirely.