New Delhi Police have busted a cyber fraud syndicate allegedly involved in providing mule bank accounts and arrested 14 people from multiple locations, an official said on Saturday.
The operation was carried out following an analysis of suspicious bank accounts linked to fraud cases. The accused were allegedly involved in supplying bank accounts, SIM cards and ATM cards to fraudsters running fake investment schemes and online job scams. Police said the cheated money was routed through these accounts and siphoned off using a gaming application to conceal its trail.
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Gang Lured Recruits via Social Media
The investigation revealed that the gang operated through social media platforms, luring people with commissions in exchange for opening or providing bank accounts, which were later used for laundering the proceeds of fraud.
Mule accounts have become a common tool in cyber fraud, where individuals rent out their bank details for quick cash, often unaware of how their information fuels larger scams. A key operational office of the syndicate was unearthed in east Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar, where several accused were allegedly running a gaming-based call centre.
Such operations typically disguise fraudulent transactions through layers of accounts and apps to evade detection. Recruiters target unemployed youth or those seeking easy money, promising commissions that draw them into criminal networks.
Raids Yield Cash and Digital Assets
Rs 79,000 cash, 28 mobile phones, 17 passbooks, three laptops and 23 ATM cards were allegedly recovered from their possession, the police said, adding that further investigation is underway to trace the mastermind and other links. During technical surveillance and raids in Delhi-NCR, the syndicate members were identified and apprehended, a senior police officer said.
These seizures highlight how fraudsters rely on physical tools like multiple SIMs and passbooks to manage high-volume transactions across devices. Gaming apps add another layer, blending illicit transfers with legitimate-looking activity.
Mule Scams Fuel Broader Cyber Crime
Cyber fraud syndicates often function as service providers in the underground economy, supplying clean accounts to scammers running investment fraud or job rackets. Victims of the end scams lose money to fake schemes, while mule account holders face legal consequences later. Authorities note that gaming-based call centres help coordinate these efforts remotely, making crackdowns challenging without sustained surveillance.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
