Kanpur: Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 35 alleged mule account holders during Operation Sai Vajra, uncovering an organised network that allegedly supplied bank accounts to cyber criminals. Investigators say the accounts were used to route nearly ₹30 crore in proceeds linked to around 100 cyber fraud cases reported across the country. The investigation is now focused on identifying the masterminds and other members of the network.
According to the preliminary investigation, the arrested individuals allegedly allowed cyber fraudsters to use their bank accounts in exchange for commissions. They also reportedly handed over ATM cards, cheque books and internet banking credentials, enabling the criminals to transfer and withdraw fraud proceeds through multiple accounts.
Investigators said the accounts were primarily used to launder money generated through online betting and gaming applications, fake investment schemes and other cyber frauds. Such accounts are commonly known as mule accounts, which cyber criminals use to conceal their identities and make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace the flow of illicit funds.
The investigation has so far linked these accounts to nearly 100 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Police are analysing digital evidence and banking records to trace both the upstream and downstream financial trail and identify the ultimate beneficiaries of the fraud proceeds.
Officials believe the arrested suspects represent only the first layer of the network. Investigators are now working to identify the individuals who collected bank accounts, ATM cards and banking credentials from the account holders. Police believe tracking these intermediaries will help expose the larger cyber crime syndicate and lead them to its key operators.
Based on the evidence collected so far, criminal cases have been registered in the jurisdictions of Shivrajpur, Armapur, Bilhaur, Panki, Sachendi, Araul, Kalyanpur, Rawatpur, Chaubepur and Bithoor police stations. The arrested individuals remain under interrogation, while investigators continue analysing their digital devices, banking transactions and communication records.
Cybersecurity experts warn that many people unknowingly become part of organised cyber crime by sharing their bank accounts for small commissions. Those accounts are later used to facilitate large-scale cyber fraud, online gambling, investment scams and money laundering. Account holders may also face criminal liability, even if they did not directly participate in the fraud itself.
According to the Future Crime Research Foundation, mule account networks have become one of the most critical components of organised cyber crime. These accounts enable criminals to move stolen funds rapidly through multiple layers, making financial investigations significantly more challenging. The organisation advises people never to share their bank account, ATM card, cheque book, OTPs or internet banking credentials with anyone.
Experts say that stronger transaction monitoring, early identification of suspicious accounts and greater public awareness are essential to disrupting mule account networks. Police have also urged citizens not to provide their bank accounts or banking credentials to anyone in exchange for money or commission, warning that doing so constitutes a serious criminal offence and may result in strict legal action.
