Patan police have busted a cyber fraud racket involving illegal transactions worth ₹398.43 crore routed through 13 mule bank accounts and arrested 14 people from Gujarat’s Patan district under “Operation Mule Hunt 2.0”, officials said. The accounts were linked to 228 inter-state cyber fraud complaints registered across the country.
Suspicious Transactions Flagged Through National Portals
The action was carried out as part of the Gujarat government’s drive to curb online fraud and dismantle financial networks used by cybercriminals. According to a release issued by Patan Police, investigators analysed data available on the Union government’s SAMANVAYA platform and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP).
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The analysis revealed suspicious transactions in certain current accounts opened at Harij Nagrik Sahakari Bank in Patan district. Investigators subsequently launched a probe into the accounts and their operators.
Accounts Allegedly Used to Channel Cybercrime Proceeds
Police said investigators found that some individuals were persuaded with commissions to open firms and bank accounts in their names. The account holders allegedly handed over ATM cards, cheque books, SIM cards, mobile numbers and internet banking credentials to middlemen and cyber fraudsters.
According to officials, these accounts were later used to receive and transfer money generated through various cyber crimes, including fraud, digital arrest scams and investment scams. Authorities said the 13 mule accounts identified during the investigation had handled transactions amounting to ₹398.43 crore and were linked to 228 cyber fraud complaints recorded on the NCCRP portal.
Case Registered Against 20 Accused
Patan Cyber Crime Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against 20 individuals, including 13 account holders and seven middlemen.
While 14 accused have been arrested, six others are absconding. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects as the investigation continues.
