Aligarh: Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh have registered cases against the holders of two suspected mule bank accounts allegedly used to channel nearly ₹42 crore in proceeds from cyber fraud. The investigation revealed that the two accounts are linked to 103 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting (NCRP) portal by victims from several states across India. Based on the findings, the Cyber Crime Police Station has launched a detailed investigation to trace the source of the funds, identify beneficiaries, and uncover the wider financial network behind the transactions.
According to investigators, the accounts were identified during an ongoing drive to detect mule bank accounts through technical analysis and digital financial monitoring aimed at curbing cyber fraud. The two accounts, linked to individuals from the Gonda area, came under scrutiny after investigators detected unusually large and suspicious financial transactions. Preliminary findings indicate that the accounts may have been used to receive and transfer proceeds from multiple cyber fraud cases while concealing the original source of the money.
The first account was operated in the name of MS Balaji Traders. Investigators said the account has been linked to 64 complaints from across the country, involving alleged cyber fraud amounting to approximately ₹27.82 crore. According to the investigation, the firm is operated by Bishvendra, a resident of Bhadira village in Gonda district. Authorities are examining every major transaction associated with the account, including beneficiary accounts and the possible involvement of individuals connected to its operation.
The second suspected account is reportedly held by Dinesh, originally from Vijaygarh in the Gonda region and currently residing in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad. Investigators said the account has been linked to 39 complaints involving suspected fraudulent transactions worth approximately ₹14.21 crore. Together, the two accounts account for 103 complaints registered by victims from Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Manipur, Odisha, Gujarat, Karnataka, and several other parts of the country.
Investigators said the accounts were identified as suspicious after analysing complaint data available on the NCRP and Samanvaya portals. Authorities are now examining banking records, Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, mobile numbers, digital transaction trails, IP logs, and other technical evidence to determine the role of the account holders and trace the movement of funds through the banking system.
Officials believe cybercriminals frequently use forged identities, rented bank accounts, or mule accounts to move illegally obtained money. Fraud proceeds are typically deposited into such accounts before being rapidly transferred through multiple bank accounts, digital wallets, or other financial channels to obscure their origin and complicate recovery efforts. As a result, investigators have expanded the inquiry beyond the account holders to identify the entire financial ecosystem supporting the alleged cyber fraud network.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said mule bank accounts have become one of the most critical components of organised cybercrime networks. According to him, cybercriminals quickly layer stolen funds across multiple accounts, making it difficult for investigators to trace and freeze the money. He emphasised that banks should strengthen real-time transaction monitoring, enforce stricter KYC verification, and take immediate action against accounts repeatedly linked to fraud complaints.
He also advised citizens never to allow unknown persons to use their bank accounts and urged victims of cyber fraud to report incidents immediately through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, as prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing stolen funds and initiating timely legal action.
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.
