Jhalawar | Rajasthan Police have uncovered a major cyber financial fraud network under the special anti-cybercrime campaign “Operation Mule Hunter,” arresting two accused allegedly involved in providing bank accounts to cyber criminals for online fraud activities. Investigators believe the accounts were used to route money linked to multiple cyber scams across different states, with preliminary findings indicating suspicious transactions worth crores of rupees.
According to investigators, the operation began after police received confidential intelligence suggesting that a bank account operated under the name “M/s Rehan Nonveg Point” was allegedly being used in cyber fraud activities. Following the input, police initiated technical surveillance and financial analysis to trace the account’s transaction patterns and digital connections.
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During the investigation, officials found that the account was maintained at a Yes Bank branch in Jhalawar and was allegedly linked to numerous suspicious digital transactions connected to cyber complaints registered in different regions of the country. Authorities stated that at least 36 cyber fraud complaints were found associated with the account, raising concerns about its possible role in a larger organised cybercrime network.
Given the seriousness of the matter, a special investigation team was formed by Kotwali police station officials. Using technical tracking and banking records, investigators detained the account holder, identified as Rahbar, for questioning. During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that he had provided his bank account to another accused, Asif Sheikh, in exchange for money.
Investigators claim that Asif Sheikh played a central role in opening the bank account, linking mobile numbers, and managing its digital operations. Based on the disclosures and electronic evidence collected during the probe, police arrested both accused and took them into remand for further interrogation.
Authorities are now attempting to determine how many cyber fraud incidents were routed through these accounts and whether the accused were connected to larger interstate cybercrime syndicates. Preliminary findings suggest the duo may have been part of a “mule account” network — a growing mechanism widely used in cyber-enabled financial crimes.
Cybercrime experts explain that mule accounts are bank accounts used by fraudsters to transfer stolen money through multiple layers in order to conceal the identity of the actual masterminds. Such accounts are often obtained by paying commissions to account holders or by exploiting financially vulnerable individuals.
According to cyber experts associated with the Future Crime Research Foundation, “Mule account networks have become one of the most critical components of modern cyber financial crime. Criminals rarely use their own banking channels directly. Instead, they create chains of accounts to complicate the money trail and delay investigations. This makes it extremely challenging for agencies to identify the real operators behind the scams.”
Experts warn that cybercriminals frequently target unemployed youth, small business owners, and individuals facing financial hardship by offering commissions in exchange for bank accounts, ATM cards, SIM cards, or internet banking access. These accounts are later used in investment frauds, fake trading schemes, OTP scams, digital arrest frauds, online shopping scams, and phishing operations.
Investigators are currently examining digital banking patterns, IP logs, KYC records, linked mobile numbers, and transaction histories to map the complete network. Officials suspect more individuals may have been involved in facilitating or operating the alleged cyber fraud chain.
Police have also issued a public advisory urging citizens not to share or rent out their bank accounts, ATM cards, internet banking credentials, or mobile numbers under any circumstances. Authorities warned that knowingly allowing one’s account to be used for suspicious transactions could result in criminal liability and prosecution under cybercrime and financial fraud laws.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials believe further interrogation of the accused may lead to additional arrests and expose other cyber fraud operations linked to the network.
