Gujarat Police Dismantle Major Cyberfraud Network in Coordinated Operation
In a significant crackdown on digital financial crime, the Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Gandhinagar has successfully dismantled an extensive cyberfraud network involving a staggering sum exceeding Rs 288 crore. As part of Operation Mule Hunt 2.0, authorities arrested eight accused individuals from multiple locations across Gujarat, including Unjha, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Surat, according to an official police release issued on Wednesday.
Sophisticated Money Laundering Operation Uncovered
Investigators revealed that the accused operated a sophisticated scheme by opening mule bank accounts under the names of various firms and individuals. These accounts were systematically used to route the illicit proceeds generated from numerous cyberfraud activities. To obscure the financial trail and evade detection, the criminals converted the digital funds into physical cash and subsequently transferred the money through informal angadia channels, a traditional courier-based money transfer system often used in India.
The operation was executed under the direct supervision of senior CID Crime officials, following specific directives to intensify actions against the alarming rise in cyber offences across the region. This coordinated effort highlights the growing focus on combating digital financial crimes with enhanced technological and investigative resources.
Detailed Arrests and Seizures Across Gujarat Cities
In Surat and Bhavnagar, police apprehended two key suspects: Mukesh Mer, aged 23, and Fardin Pathan, aged 22. The investigation linked these individuals to a massive 181 cyberfraud complaints and 81 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed across various states, with the total implicated amount surpassing Rs 174 crore. During the raids, authorities seized crucial evidence including four mobile phones and a laptop.
Data recovered from these devices unveiled extensive documentation, including details of 125 fictitious firms, 65 fraudulent identification documents, and 868 fabricated invoices, all used to legitimize the illegal transactions.
From Unjha, police arrested Akshay Patel and Devendra Patel for their alleged roles in opening multiple bank accounts and facilitating transactions in exchange for commissions. Their accounts were directly connected to 125 separate cyberfraud complaints, involving financial losses estimated at over Rs 114 crore.
In Rajkot, law enforcement officials seized six mobile phones and a substantial cash amount of Rs 40 lakh. The bank accounts associated with the accused in this location were found to be linked to 26 complaints and one FIR, with the involved sum approximating Rs 59 lakh.
Network Linked to Multiple Fraud Types and Nationwide Impact
Police officials stated that the accused were fully aware they were handling proceeds of crime, employing multiple layers of bank accounts and informal money transfer systems to avoid law enforcement detection. The fraud types connected to this extensive network are diverse and include:
- Online financial frauds
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) scams
- Internet banking frauds
- Investment and deposit frauds
Over the past month alone, as part of the broader Operation Mule Hunt initiative, the CCoE has arrested a total of 40 accused individuals. This sustained effort has uncovered cyberfraud amounting to an astonishing Rs 622 crore, linked to 1,039 complaints registered nationwide, demonstrating the extensive reach and significant financial impact of such criminal networks.
Authorities have confirmed that further investigation is actively underway to uncover additional connections, identify more perpetrators, and recover illicit funds, underscoring the ongoing commitment to eradicating cyber financial crimes in the region.
