Muzaffarpur | Amid rapidly evolving cybercrime tactics in India, fraudsters have now developed a highly organised model in which bank accounts of ordinary individuals are being “rented” to route crores of rupees obtained through fraud. Investigations have revealed that account holders were offered a commission ranging from 3% to 3.5%, drawing them—knowingly or unknowingly—into the network.
In the latest case, money siphoned through 186 bank accounts across more than 16 states was routed into just three accounts. These accounts were opened in the names of local individuals but were effectively controlled by the cyber gang. During interrogation, the arrested accused admitted that they allowed their bank accounts to be used to receive fraudulent funds and transfer them further.
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Investigators found that the fraudsters first opened bank accounts in the names of fake companies. They then collected debit cards, passbooks, and signed cheque books from the account holders. As soon as the defrauded money was credited, it was either withdrawn within minutes or quickly transferred to other accounts, making it extremely difficult to trace the transactions.
The network came to light after cyber fraud complaints from multiple states led to the identification of suspicious bank accounts. Within 12 days of investigation, three key accounts were traced, which were being used for large-scale transactions. The account holders were arrested, and their interrogation exposed the modus operandi of the entire network.
Among those arrested, Mohammad Farid Alam, a resident of Mirzapur in Ahiyapur, emerged as a key figure. His account alone received funds from 153 accounts across 16 states. He admitted to providing his account to the gang in exchange for a 3.5% commission. Similarly, other accused—Dev, Raja Kumar, Arjun Kumar, and Randhir Kumar—also confessed to renting out their bank accounts to the fraudsters in return for commissions.
According to investigators, this model is rapidly spreading across the country. Instead of directly handling transactions, cyber criminals are increasingly relying on “mule accounts”—bank accounts of third parties—to carry out financial operations. This layered system makes it significantly more challenging for law enforcement agencies to trace the masterminds behind the fraud.
Given the seriousness of the case, information about the action has been shared with cyber police units in 20 states. A detailed report linking around 190 victims has been prepared, and further action is expected across multiple jurisdictions. Authorities believe that the arrested accused may be taken on remand by different state police teams to uncover higher-level operators within the network.
Cyber experts have warned that this trend is particularly dangerous because it involves ordinary citizens becoming active links in criminal operations. Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said, “Cyber criminals are increasingly using social engineering to trap individuals. By offering easy money, they misuse bank accounts, which significantly expands the scale of such crimes.”
Investigating agencies have issued a strong advisory urging people not to share their bank accounts, debit cards, or cheque books with anyone. Such actions not only expose individuals to financial risk but can also lead to serious legal consequences.
This case highlights how cybercrime has moved beyond technical hacking and evolved into a structured ecosystem that exploits social and economic vulnerabilities to sustain large-scale fraud networks.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
