More than Rs 622 crore associated with cyber fraud has been discovered, leading to the arrest of 40 individuals in the last month as part of Operation Mule Hunt 2.0, revealed Gujarat’s CID Crime Cyber Centre. The operation also revealed 1,039 cyber fraud complaints and exposed a larger network involving over Rs 288 crore. The accused were found to have opened bank accounts in various names, used them for personal gain, and facilitated the movement of illicit funds.
The funds were deposited into accounts, converted to cash, and transferred through angadia (hawala) channels, with the accused earning commissions and aiding each other in the transactions. The intensified operation was initiated following directives from top officials due to the surge in cybercrime. A specialized team conducted raids in Surat, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Unjha based on specific information, resulting in multiple arrests.
In Surat and Bhavnagar, verification of bank accounts on the NCCRP portal revealed 181 cyber fraud complaints nationwide and 81 FIRs in various states, involving an estimated Rs 174.63 crore. Two individuals, Mukesh Mer and Faridkhan Pathan, were apprehended in Bhavnagar, with the seizure of electronic devices containing incriminating evidence. Analysis of the seized devices unveiled details of numerous firms, identification documents, and fake invoices.
In Unjha, bank account details recovered from the accused were linked to over Rs 114 crore in cyber fraud, leading to the arrest of two individuals, Akshay Patel and Devendra Patel. The duo was involved in opening multiple bank accounts and facilitating fraudulent transactions. Similarly, in Rajkot, police actions revealed cyber fraud complaints amounting to over Rs 59.79 lakh, resulting in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of cash and mobile phones.
The offenses encompassed various forms of cyber fraud, including online financial fraud, internet banking fraud, UPI-related fraud, and investment fraud. The accused collaborated to acquire bank accounts of different firms, used them for personal gain, and concealed their identities while handling cybercrime money. In a public advisory, CID Crime urged the public not to share bank account details out of greed and emphasized the account holder’s responsibility for funds received.
