Kota/Jhalawar: In a major crackdown on organised cybercrime, authorities have busted a large racket operating through mule bank accounts in the Bhawanimandi area of Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district. Three accused—Lalit Rana (22), Ajay Vishwakarma (25) and Rajesh Rathore (43)—have been arrested for facilitating fraudulent transactions worth crores of rupees. A significant haul of banking instruments, digital devices and cash has been seized, indicating the scale and sophistication of the operation.
Investigators suspect mule accounts were rented out to mask cybercrime proceeds across multiple layers
According to investigators, the operation began after a tip-off that a local resident, Lalit Rana, was using his bank account as a mule account. Acting on this intelligence, a probe was launched, which revealed that he, along with his associates, was actively involved in routing money linked to cyber fraud. A coordinated action was then carried out, leading to the arrest of all three accused.
During interrogation, it emerged that the gang was engaged in buying and selling bank accounts and renting them out to facilitate illegal transactions. These accounts were primarily used to transfer money obtained through cyber fraud across multiple layers, making it difficult to trace the original source of funds. The accused reportedly earned hefty commissions and operated the network in a structured and organised manner.
53 ATM cards, 35 cheque books and ₹1.54 lakh in cash hint at a sprawling alleged fraud empire
A raid conducted at the accused’s premises led to the recovery of 53 ATM cards, 35 cheque books, six passbooks, nine SIM cards, a laptop and ₹1.54 lakh in cash. The volume of seized material suggests that this was not a small-time operation but a well-established cyber fraud syndicate relying on multiple bank accounts and digital resources.
Preliminary findings indicate that the accused not only used these accounts themselves but also supplied them to other cybercriminals. These criminals carried out online frauds, phishing scams and other digital crimes, after which the illicit funds were routed through mule accounts in several stages. This layered movement of money significantly complicates efforts to trace the masterminds behind such crimes.
Cybersecurity experts say mule accounts have become a crucial link in modern cybercrime. These accounts help criminals conceal their identity and obscure the financial trail. In many cases, such accounts are either rented from financially vulnerable individuals or obtained by misleading people into sharing their banking details.
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Experts warn that mule account networks are fast becoming the hidden backbone of organised cyber fraud
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said,
“Mule account networks have become the backbone of today’s cybercrime ecosystem. Organised gangs are no longer limited to simple frauds—they are now influencing the entire financial system. Unless strict action is taken against the supply chain of such accounts, it will remain difficult to completely curb large-scale cyber offences. At the same time, individuals must remain cautious and avoid sharing their bank details under any temptation or suspicious offer.”
A case has been registered against the accused under the provisions of the Information Technology Act and other relevant laws. Authorities are now probing the wider network to identify links across other states and uncover additional individuals involved in the racket.
Digital trail from seized SIM cards and laptop may uncover a wider interstate syndicate
Officials stated that forensic analysis of the seized bank accounts and digital devices is underway to map the complete transaction trail. Efforts are also being made to identify individuals who provided their bank accounts to the gang or were part of the financial chain.
The investigation is ongoing, and more revelations are expected in the coming days. Authorities believe that this crackdown not only exposes a major cyber fraud network but also sends a strong message against such organised crimes, paving the way for stricter enforcement and better control over similar rackets in the future.
