Ramnagar: A major development has emerged during a cybercrime investigation in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, with 35 bank accounts maintained with Punjab & Sind Bank reportedly linked to 129 cyber fraud cases registered across different states. Police are now conducting a detailed examination of suspicious transactions carried out through these accounts. An FIR has been registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a sub-inspector.
According to police sources, the 35 accounts came under scrutiny after information was received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the cyber cell. Preliminary findings indicate that financial transactions connected with cyber fraud cases reported from different parts of the country have links with these accounts. Investigators are now trying to determine whether the accounts were operated by the account holders themselves or were allegedly used by other people involved in cybercrime.
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Police Examine Transactions Across 35 Accounts
Police are examining the banking records of all 35 account holders. Their businesses, occupations, financial backgrounds and transaction patterns are being verified to establish the source of suspicious funds and identify where the money was subsequently transferred.
Officials said the mere presence of suspected fraud proceeds in an account does not automatically establish the account holder’s involvement in a crime. Investigators are therefore examining the circumstances surrounding the transactions, the account holders’ activities and their links with other suspicious accounts.
The investigation is also focused on whether the accounts were allegedly used by cybercriminals to receive and move fraud proceeds. Criminal networks often use accounts belonging to other individuals or businesses to receive money and transfer it through multiple layers, making it more difficult to trace the ultimate beneficiaries.
Investigation Began With One Suspicious Account
According to police, the first suspicious account was identified in the name of a business establishment in Pirumadara village. Police found that money allegedly linked to a cyber fraud case had been credited to the account. The investigation was subsequently expanded, leading to the identification of other accounts that are now under scrutiny.
Investigators are also examining the historical transactions of all 35 accounts. Officials believe that analysing the complete banking records from the time the accounts were opened could help establish the movement of suspected fraud proceeds and identify individuals connected to the transactions.
Role of Bank and Employees Also Under Examination
The investigation is not limited to the account holders. Police are also examining the role of Punjab & Sind Bank and its employees in the matter. Investigators are checking whether the required documentation and Know Your Customer procedures were properly followed when the accounts were opened.
Police are also examining whether unusual transaction patterns were detected after the accounts became active and whether appropriate monitoring or alerts were triggered at the bank level. The complete transaction history of the accounts is being analysed to establish how suspected fraud proceeds entered the accounts and where the money was subsequently transferred.
Links to 129 Cases Raise Concern
The reported financial links between the 35 accounts and 129 cyber fraud cases registered across different states have widened the scope of the investigation. Police are now matching banking records associated with the reported fraud cases with transactions conducted through the accounts under scrutiny.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said bank accounts often form a critical link in cyber fraud networks because criminals may use accounts belonging to other individuals or businesses to move suspected proceeds. He said investigators need to trace the complete financial trail from the initial credit to the ultimate beneficiary. Determining the actual role of an account holder requires examining KYC records, transaction patterns, technical evidence and the person’s activities in relation to the suspicious transactions.
Ramnagar police said the investigation could lead to further revelations once the examination of the 35 accounts is completed. Investigators are analysing digital evidence, banking records and information related to the account holders to determine how funds connected to the 129 cyber fraud cases moved through these accounts and who ultimately benefited from them.
Further action against other individuals may follow depending on the evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.
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.
