In a significant crackdown on digital crime, the Mendarda police in Gujarat have registered a major cyberfraud case involving a staggering sum of Rs 18 lakh. The investigation zeroed in on a 'mule' bank account allegedly used as a conduit to receive and launder money swindled from victims scattered across the country.
The Investigation That Unraveled the Fraud
The case was officially lodged by Head Constable Sumit Rathod of the Mendarda police station. This action followed a detailed probe by the Cyber Crime Cell based in Junagadh, which flagged several suspicious bank accounts connected to multiple cybercrime incidents. The national framework for reporting such crimes played a pivotal role.
Authorities explained that victims from various states typically report cyber fraud through the dedicated national helpline number, 1930, and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP). By analyzing transaction data available on the NCCRP and leveraging layered information from the Joint Cybercrime Coordination Team Management Information System (JMIS), investigators successfully traced a series of fraudulent transactions.
The Mule Account and Pan-India Victims
The digital trail led to a specific account held with a small finance bank. This account was registered in the name of Pramod Bhakhar, a resident of Alidhra. Police have linked this single account to at least four separate cyber fraud complaints filed in different Indian states.
The victims, hailing from Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, were allegedly cheated through sophisticated online traps. The modus operandi involved fake investment schemes and fraudulent mobile applications. Unsuspecting individuals would transfer money, which would ultimately be deposited into Bhakhar's identified account.
Legal Action and Charges Filed
According to the police, the account holder did not just passively receive the funds. It is alleged that Pramod Bhakhar knowingly withdrew and laundered the illicit proceeds, fully aware of their illegal origin. This active participation in the financial leg of the crime has led to serious charges.
A formal case has been registered against Bhakhar and other currently unidentified individuals. They have been booked under Sections 317(3) and 317(4) of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with offenses related to cheating and dishonesty. The investigation remains active as police work to identify and apprehend the other members of this cyberfraud network.
