Patna Police have arrested four accused after uncovering an alleged cyber fraud network that, according to investigators, opened mule bank accounts to receive money obtained through cyber fraud across the country. The investigation has so far identified approximately ₹14.67 crore in suspicious transactions.
Police officials said the accused allegedly opened bank accounts in the names of individuals whose accounts were used solely to receive proceeds from cyber fraud and transfer the funds to other accounts. Such accounts are commonly referred to as mule accounts in cybercrime investigations. Investigators said these accounts were allegedly used to conceal the source of fraud proceeds.
During the raids, police recovered mobile phones, ATM cards, bank passbooks, cheque books, documents and other digital evidence from the possession of the accused. The seized electronic devices are being subjected to forensic examination to identify the network's links and other possible associates.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the group was in contact with cybercriminals operating in multiple states. Police are also examining how many people were allegedly defrauded through these bank accounts and how many individuals were involved in the network.
The arrested accused are being questioned, and police said further interrogation may help identify other members of the group and a wider cyber fraud network. Investigators are also examining digital transactions, bank records and call detail records as part of the investigation.
Cyber experts said individuals should not allow others to use their bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books or internet banking facilities. They said doing so could inadvertently make a person part of a cybercrime and expose them to legal action.
Police appealed to the public not to open bank accounts at the request of unknown persons and not to allow others to use their accounts. They advised anyone noticing suspicious cyber activity to immediately report it through the National Cyber Helpline at 1930 or the nearest cyber police station.
Police are continuing to investigate the alleged cyber fraud network. The probe into the approximately ₹14.67 crore in suspicious transactions is ongoing, and investigators are examining the possible involvement of other individuals based on the questioning of the arrested accused.
