In a major breakthrough against cybercrime, the Gujarat Police have uncovered a massive money trail exceeding Rs 631.86 crore linked to 13 accused operating across four cities in the state. The operation, dubbed "Operation Mule Hunt 2.0," was conducted by the Gujarat Police's Cyber Centre of Excellence, leading to the arrest of individuals from Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot over the past four days.
Modus Operandi of the Cyberfraud Network
According to investigators, the accused systematically opened bank accounts using fake or proxy firms to receive and channel proceeds from various online frauds. These accounts surfaced in 982 cybercrime complaints filed across India, revealing connections to investment frauds, UPI scams, and internet banking fraud. The primary method involved withdrawing cash and then moving it through angadia channels to other members of the network.
Geographic Spread of Complaints
Analysis of the 982 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) showed a wide geographic spread: Maharashtra accounted for 137 complaints, Karnataka 126, Uttar Pradesh 87, Tamil Nadu 83, Gujarat 77, Telangana 64, and Delhi 53. This indicates the network's extensive reach across the country.
Details of the Accused
The arrested individuals include Ankit Lodha (28) from Ahmedabad; Manish Lodha (39), Navin Vaishnav, Mohit Nahar, Nayan Italiya, Nimesh Jietani, and Vimal Jata from Surat; Madhav Kotadiya and Hardik Sarvaiya from Rajkot; and Arbaz Pirzada, Faizan Saudagar, Kasifali Shaikh, and Zuber Memon from Vadodara.
Fraudulent Firms and Methods
Police investigations revealed that one group created a fictitious firm named 'Saurath Overseas' and opened mule accounts in its name. They allegedly procured bank customer IDs from leaked databases and Telegram groups, contacted victims with fake credit card offers, obtained OTPs, and reset banking credentials to gain unauthorized access to accounts. Stolen funds were then transferred into mule accounts and withdrawn.
Another group floated companies such as SNB Acqua Shipping Private Limited, Zeppelin Overseas Shipping Pvt Ltd, and DKG Creation and Technologies Gujarat to open bank accounts and channel cyberfraud money in exchange for commissions. Additionally, entities like "Air Conditioning Hub" and "Works Global" were used to facilitate illegal fund transfers.
Seized Items and Evidence
During raids, police seized 28 mobile phones, 39 cheque books linked to multiple bank accounts, one bank passbook, two laptops, 12 ATM or debit cards, and four company seals. Officials confirmed that the accused were aware that the accounts were being used to move cybercrime proceeds.
Broader Implications
The police suspect the network is linked to multiple fraud categories, including online investment scams, internet banking fraud, UPI fraud, and deposit-related scams. This operation highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminal networks and the need for continued vigilance and coordinated law enforcement efforts.
