Mathura Police Launch Operation Cyber Vajra, Bust ₹15 Crore Mule Account Network

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Mathura Cyber Crime Police have dismantled a financial network involving mule accounts totaling ₹15 crore under Operation Cyber Vajra.

Operation Cyber Vajra and Financial Network

Mathura Cyber Crime Police have dismantled a financial network involving mule accounts totaling ₹15 crore, according to an investigation under Uttar Pradesh’s Operation Cyber Vajra. The operation revealed that three current accounts held by the State Bank of India (SBI) were allegedly used to process illicit funds from cyber fraud schemes.

Accounts and Entities Involved

These accounts, registered under entities including Jan Kalyan Seva Trust, Sahyog Public Foundation, and S&D Enterprises, were linked to 350 cybercrime complaints, prompting the filing of two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against five identified individuals and unnamed accomplices.

Funds Movement and Transactions

Investigators determined that the accounts facilitated the movement of illicit funds through layered transactions, with suspicious activity amounting to approximately ₹13.01 crore, ₹48 lakh, and ₹1.17 crore across the three accounts. The network’s structure allowed cybercriminals to obscure the origin of funds by transferring proceeds through multiple channels, complicating efforts to trace beneficiaries.

Key Figure and Scheme Continuity

A key figure in the operation, Pankaj Kuntal, was identified as the primary orchestrator. According to authorities, he allegedly maintained continuity in the scheme by opening new accounts under different entities whenever existing ones faced scrutiny or freezing.

Investigation and Forensic Analysis

The investigation uncovered that the accounts were utilized by cybercriminals operating across multiple states to launder funds. Forensic analysis of banking records, Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, digital communications, and financial transactions is ongoing to map the full scope of the network. Additional individuals involved in the scheme are expected to be identified as the probe progresses.

Cybercrime Expert Insights

Cybercrime experts highlighted the growing reliance on mule accounts by organized syndicates to evade detection. These accounts, often registered under trusts, foundations, or businesses, enable criminals to move illicit proceeds through complex financial pathways.

Public Advisories and Safety Measures

A former senior police official emphasized that victims must avoid sharing banking details, including account numbers, ATM cards, or SIMs, with third parties for any financial incentives. Public advisories stress the importance of reporting cyberfraud incidents immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930), the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, or local police stations.

Case Status and Ongoing Efforts

Authorities urge individuals to remain vigilant and refrain from allowing their accounts to be exploited for financial gain. The case remains under active investigation, with efforts focused on recovering illicit funds and apprehending all involved parties.

According to authorities, he allegedly maintained continuity in the scheme by opening new accounts under different entities whenever existing ones faced scrutiny or freezing.

A former senior police official emphasized that victims must avoid sharing banking details, including account numbers, ATM cards, or SIMs, with third parties for any financial incentives.