A sophisticated supply chain linking Maharashtra to Haryana has emerged, where fraudulent bank accounts and SIM cards become the tools that enable cybercriminals to dupe victims across India, highlighting the interstate nature of modern financial fraud.
Five Gang Members Apprehended in Nuh Operation
Five suspected members of an interstate gang were arrested in Nuh on Sunday night for allegedly supplying mule account kits and SIM cards to cybercriminals operating in the district. The arrests represent a significant breakthrough in understanding how cyber fraud networks obtain the financial infrastructure necessary to carry out their schemes. Police investigations revealed that the accused were sourcing mule accounts and fake SIM cards from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and supplying them to cybercriminals operating from Nuh.
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The Supply Chain: From Nagpur to Nuh
Krishan Kumar, public relations officer of Nuh police, explained that Shahzad and Sahid were first arrested from near Jaisinghpur flyover, while the others were later nabbed from various locations in the city. The investigation revealed that the accused were sourcing mule accounts and fake SIM cards from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and supplying them to cybercriminals operating from Nuh. Kumar said that the recovered kits of the mule accounts were opened with public sector and private sector banks in Nagpur.
Complex Network of Associates Across States
The investigation has uncovered a broader criminal network spanning multiple states. Kumar said that the suspects’ associates were based in Nagpur, Maharashtra, who were responsible for opening or arranging mule accounts, their kits and SIM cards activated on the basis of fraudulent documents. Interrogation of the accused led to identification of at least eight more associates involved in procuring or purchasing mule accounts and fraudulently issued SIM cards from various areas of Maharashtra. Police confirmed that raids were ongoing to arrest these additional suspects.
Seized Evidence and Identification of Suspects
The accused were identified as Mohammad Aftab, 23, Ejaz Khan, 22, Akhlakh, 25, Mohammad Ajmul, 21, Mohammad Shahzad, 26, and Mohammad Sahid, 22. Police said that over three dozen mule account kits including debit cards and SIM cards used for fraud calls were seized from their possession. The accused used to procure these items from Nagpur and then bring them to Nuh for supply to key members of cyber crime gangs involved in duping people from across India.