Aravalli Cybercrime Unit Cracks Down on Sophisticated Mule Account Network
In a significant breakthrough against digital financial crimes, the Cybercrime police of Aravalli district has successfully dismantled an organized gang specializing in cyberfraud through the illicit use of mule accounts. The operation culminated in the arrest of two key accused individuals from the Nikol area of Ahmedabad, marking a crucial step in combating online financial deception.
Substantial Seizures and Operational Details
Law enforcement officials executed a meticulous raid, recovering a substantial cache of evidence from the possession of the arrested individuals. The seized items include a significant amount of cash, silver biscuits, various electronic devices, critical banking documents, and an impressive sum of Rs 25 lakh in physical currency. This recovery underscores the scale and sophistication of the fraudulent activities being conducted.
Investigation Triggered by Suspicious Banking Activity
The investigation was initiated based on actionable intelligence regarding suspicious mule accounts operating within the district. Police scrutiny revealed a particularly concerning account held with the State Bank of India. This account was linked to a first-layer transaction of Rs 2,000, which was directly connected to a previously registered cyberfraud case in Bidar district, Karnataka.
Upon formally requesting the bank statement, account opening form (AOF), and Know Your Customer (KYC) details, investigators uncovered a critical lead. The documentation indicated that the account had been transferred to an individual identified as Subhash Jain.
Pursuing the Lead to Ahmedabad
Acting on this information, a dedicated police team traveled to Ahmedabad on January 29th to conduct further inquiries. Their initial verification efforts in the Singarva locality of Ahmedabad hit a dead end, as no person by the name of Subhash Jain could be located at the provided address.
Faced with a locked premises and suspecting it might contain equipment used for cyberfraud, the team made the decision to break open the lock. A subsequent search of the property yielded a treasure trove of evidence related to identity theft and financial crime.
Uncovering a Web of Identity Fraud
The search operation exposed a elaborate scheme. It was discovered that an individual named Dinesh Mali had been fraudulently using the identity of Subhash Jain. Mali had created duplicate Aadhaar cards and subsequently opened multiple bank accounts across various financial institutions. These accounts were systematically used as conduits to receive and launder the illicit proceeds from widespread cyberfraud operations.
The items confiscated from the location paint a clear picture of a professional fraud setup. Police recovered three Aadhaar cards, one PAN card, 18 ATM cards, a currency counting machine, a laptop, a printer, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, 31 mobile phones, four SIM cards, 21 cheque books, one passbook, two silver biscuits (weighing 100 grams and 50 grams respectively), and a substantial amount of cash.
Arrests and Nationwide Fraud Linkages
Following this discovery, police intensively tracked down and apprehended the main accused, Dinesh Mali, along with his accomplice, Mahendra Devasi. Both individuals are originally natives of Sanchore in Rajasthan but were currently residing in the Nikol area of Ahmedabad. Authorities have also launched a manhunt for a third suspect identified as Bhavesh Mali, who remains at large.
The scope of the fraud is alarmingly vast. A comprehensive review has linked the gang's activities to a total of 26 separate online fraud complaints filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP). These complaints originate from 13 different states across India, with the cumulative fraudulent amount involved staggering at approximately Rs 1.80 crore. This case highlights the critical importance of vigilance and robust cyber-policing in the digital age.
