The Surat City Police have apprehended 77 individuals across various states and filed 58 cyber fraud cases following a three-day operation targeting mule account networks used in concealing proceeds from online scams. The operation, known as “Operation Mule Hunt 2.0,” was conducted under the direct supervision of Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot from May 31 to June 2. These mule accounts are crucial in cyber-enabled financial crimes, as per the police.
Digital fraud instances have seen a notable increase in recent times, with cybercriminals often transferring fraudulently obtained funds from one bank account to multiple accounts swiftly before withdrawing them from ATMs. The complexity of this process makes it challenging for authorities to trace the stolen funds and return them to the victims. Mule accounts are usually acquired from financially vulnerable individuals who are enticed with rent or commission offers by cybercriminals.
The individuals holding these accounts allow cybercriminals to utilize their bank accounts, unknowingly becoming part of illicit activities. Investigators emphasize that such accounts play a pivotal role in laundering and transferring proceeds from cyber fraud schemes. The Surat city police spent nearly a month in discreet planning as part of their preparations for this operation.
To gear up for the operation, specialized teams were formed by the city police, conducting a thorough analysis of complaints lodged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) and suspicious mule bank accounts. Coordination meetings with senior banking officials, fintech companies, and telecom service providers were held to enhance information sharing and investigative efforts. Over 500 police personnel received specialized training on identifying mule accounts and investigating intricate financial crime networks.
