In a significant crackdown on financial cybercrime, the Morbi police in Gujarat have apprehended a 32-year-old labourer for allegedly renting out his personal and business bank accounts to route illicit funds. The accounts were instrumental in laundering nearly Rs 93 lakh obtained through online frauds targeting victims across India.
The Arrest and the Modus Operandi
Police officials took Ismail Katiya into custody following an investigation into suspicious transactions. According to authorities, Katiya permitted another accused, Divyarajsinh Jadeja, to operate his bank accounts for a one-time commission of Rs 15,000.
Cybercrime Police Inspector Nayan Vasava detailed the operation. "Katiya disclosed that Jadeja escorted him to various bank branches to open accounts using his Aadhaar and PAN cards," Vasava stated. The scheme extended further with the establishment of a business entity named JD Enterprise in Katiya's name, for which additional bank accounts were opened.
Jadeja maintained physical control of all account kits and cheque books. Crucially, he also secured Katiya's signatures on blank cheques, granting him unfettered access to the funds flowing through these accounts.
Nationwide Web of Cyberfraud
Preliminary investigations have uncovered a disturbing link between these mule bank accounts and a minimum of 31 distinct cyberfraud complaints. These complaints are registered in multiple states, painting a picture of a widespread scam network. The affected states include Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
Police analysis of the transaction trail revealed that between March 25 and May 30, a staggering sum of Rs 92.88 lakh was credited into three of these accounts. The money was subsequently withdrawn by Jadeja using ATM and cheque transactions. Investigators are now engaged in further questioning to trace the end beneficiaries of this fraudulently acquired money.
Operation Mule Hunt: A Wider Crackdown
This arrest is not an isolated incident but part of a concerted effort by the Morbi district police. Under the ongoing Operation Mule Hunt, authorities have made substantial progress in dismantling networks that exploit such mule accounts.
To date, this operation has resulted in the registration of more than 12 First Information Reports (FIRs) and the arrest of over 35 accused individuals. The scale of the financial malfeasance uncovered is immense, with transactions exceeding Rs 5 crore from various cyberfraud cases being traced back to 158 identified mule bank accounts within the district alone.
The case serves as a stark warning against the illegal practice of handing over bank account control for monetary gain. It highlights the rigorous efforts by law enforcement to track and prosecute those involved in laundering the proceeds of cyberfraud, a crime that affects countless citizens nationwide.
