Noida: The Phase-3 Police Station in Noida has busted an alleged organised cybercrime facilitation network that supplied mule bank accounts to fraudsters operating across the country. Seven accused have been arrested for allegedly opening bank accounts in the names of fake companies and providing them to cybercriminals to route proceeds of online fraud. Investigators believe the network played a key role in enabling multiple cyber fraud operations, including investment scams, digital arrest frauds, KYC scams and fake loan schemes. Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the financial transactions and the wider network connected to the accused.
According to the police, the arrested individuals have been identified as Ajab Singh, a resident of Ansal Sushant Golf City in Lucknow; Pradeep from Delhi; Gulab Singh Lodhi from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh; Kaushal and Sachin from Farrukhabad; Jinendra Singh from Kannauj; and Priyanka from Agra. Although they belong to different districts and states, investigators said all of them were residing at different locations in Noida while allegedly carrying out the operation. Authorities are now examining whether additional associates were involved in the network.
During the operation, police recovered seven mobile phones, one cheque book, four company letterheads and one stamp pad allegedly used in the creation and operation of fake business entities. Investigators believe these materials were used to establish shell companies and open bank accounts that appeared legitimate but were allegedly intended solely for facilitating cyber fraud transactions. The seized digital devices are being subjected to forensic examination to recover financial records, communication logs and other electronic evidence.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly opened bank accounts in the names of fictitious companies and later contacted cybercriminals through WhatsApp and Telegram groups to sell or provide access to those accounts. Instead of handing over complete control, the accused allegedly retained the SIM cards linked to the bank accounts. Police allege that they installed an application known as “Ding SMS APK” on their mobile phones, allowing banking OTPs and transaction alerts sent to the registered SIM cards to be received on their devices. This enabled the accused to assist cybercriminals in operating the accounts and transferring fraud proceeds while maintaining remote control over banking communications.
Investigators explained that mule bank accounts are commonly used by cybercriminals to conceal or move money obtained through illegal online activities. Such accounts are often opened using individuals recruited through promises of jobs, commissions or easy income. Once activated, the accounts are allegedly used to receive funds generated through digital arrest scams, fake investment platforms, fraudulent loan offers, KYC verification scams and other forms of cyber-enabled financial crime. Authorities believe dismantling mule account networks is critical because they serve as the financial backbone of organised cyber fraud operations.
The investigation has revealed that the bank accounts linked to the arrested accused have been associated with at least 74 cybercrime complaints registered across different parts of India. Police are now coordinating with financial institutions and cybercrime units in multiple states to identify victims, trace fund movements and establish the complete money trail. Investigators are also examining whether additional shell companies and bank accounts were created using similar methods and whether the network had links with larger interstate or international cybercrime syndicates.
Cybersecurity experts warn that organised mule account networks have become one of the biggest challenges in combating financial cybercrime because they allow fraudsters to quickly move stolen funds through multiple banking channels before investigators can freeze the transactions. They advise individuals never to open bank accounts or register companies on behalf of unknown persons in exchange for commissions or financial incentives. People should also avoid sharing banking credentials, SIM cards or identity documents with third parties, as such information can be misused in organised financial crime. Police have stated that the investigation is continuing, and further arrests may follow as digital evidence, financial records and communication data are analysed. All allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
