The Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Wing has dismantled an inter-state mule account racket accused of duping thousands of citizens of crores of rupees across the country. The arrests, made in close coordination with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlight the growing menace of digital fraud networks exploiting banking loopholes and unsuspecting individuals.
Authorities said four individuals, all aged between 21 and 24 years and hailing from Amritsar and Fazilka districts, were arrested for their involvement in running mule accounts used to siphon illicit funds. The suspects allegedly provided bank accounts to cyber criminals in exchange for commissions, facilitating large-scale fraudulent transactions targeting victims nationwide.
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Massive Recovery from Suspects
During the operation, police recovered ₹10.96 lakh in cash, nine mobile phones, 32 debit cards, 10 SIM cards, and 15 bank passbooks from the accused. Officials noted that the scale of recovery points to the organized nature of the racket, which was carefully structured to avoid detection.
Senior officers confirmed that the accused were part of a larger interstate network that opened and maintained multiple accounts across various banks, which were later used as “mule accounts” to launder proceeds of cyber fraud. Such accounts are typically employed by scamsters to distance themselves from direct involvement, making investigations more complex.
Coordinated Crackdown on Cyber Fraud
The Punjab Police emphasized that the arrests were the result of joint intelligence-sharing with I4C and underscored the importance of nationwide cooperation to tackle financial cybercrime. Officials further warned the public against sharing personal banking details or handing over their accounts for quick money, stressing that even seemingly small involvement in mule account operations can invite severe legal consequences.
Investigations are ongoing to trace the larger nexus behind the operation, with police indicating that more arrests are likely. Authorities reiterated their commitment to strengthening digital safety and urged citizens to report suspicious activity to cybercrime helplines promptly.