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What began as an offer of cheap VIP darshan at the famed Khatu Shyam Temple ended in a complex cyber fraud case involving lakhs of rupees, multiple mule bank accounts and an international money trail reaching Dubai.
Police in Bhind have arrested five alleged cyber fraud intermediaries from Sikar, who are accused of acting as middlemen for an organised online fraud syndicate. The accused allegedly targeted unemployed and economically vulnerable youths, luring them with promises of loans, jobs and government benefits, before misusing their bank accounts to route cybercrime proceeds.
Investigators said the modus operandi began with building personal trust. Victims were first approached in informal settings and offered favours such as expedited temple darshan at heavily discounted rates. Once confidence was gained, the accused allegedly persuaded them to open new bank accounts under the pretext of facilitating business loans or employment-linked financial assistance.
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According to the police, the arrested men functioned as “account collectors” or intermediaries. They arranged new bank accounts, activated fresh SIM cards and gathered identity documents, which were then handed over to cyber fraud operators. These accounts were subsequently used to receive large sums of money generated through online gaming frauds, fake loan schemes and other cyber scams.
One of the victims told investigators that he worked at a mobile phone shop and aspired to start his own business. During a visit to Khatu Shyam with friends about a year ago, he met a man who offered VIP darshan tickets for just ₹100, far below the official rate. After helping them bypass long queues, the man continued to stay in touch and later offered to arrange a substantial business loan.
Days later, the victim was contacted again and told that loan quotas were limited and immediate paperwork was required. He was assured that representatives would open a bank account on his behalf locally. Soon after, a new account was opened in his name, along with a freshly activated SIM card. He was told that an initial amount of ₹1 lakh would be credited, with the remaining loan disbursed later.
The fraud came to light when the victim visited his bank to check the status of the promised funds. Bank officials, alarmed by the transaction history, questioned him about the source of funds after discovering that nearly ₹57 lakh had passed through the account within a short span. The victim told police he had no knowledge of the transactions and was advised by the bank to immediately approach law enforcement.
Subsequent inquiry revealed that at least six people from the same area had fallen into a similar trap. In one case, the victim’s younger brother also opened a bank account using the same intermediaries. His account later showed transactions exceeding ₹28 lakh and was subsequently frozen during inter-State verification. Another local shop owner reported that nearly ₹35 lakh had moved through his account before it was emptied and flagged.
Police said the money routed through these accounts was transferred abroad, primarily to Dubai, using layered transactions to evade detection. Technical analysis and documentation checks led investigators to a wider network operating across districts in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
During interrogation, the arrested accused reportedly admitted that they were acting only as intermediaries. Investigators believe the masterminds of the operation are operating from overseas and continue to manage the network remotely. The role of local agents involved in identifying vulnerable youths and coordinating account openings is also under scrutiny.
Police said cases have been registered under provisions of the Information Technology Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Further arrests are likely as financial trails are analysed and coordination is intensified with cybercrime units in other states and central agencies.
Authorities have urged citizens to be cautious of unsolicited offers involving loans, jobs or financial shortcuts, and warned against sharing personal documents or allowing bank accounts to be used by third parties. Officials said mule accounts remain a critical link in cybercrime operations and dismantling such networks is key to curbing digital fraud.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
