Ranchi | In a major crackdown on cybercrime activities in Jharkhand, Ranchi police have uncovered an alleged fake bank account and digital fraud network operating from a rented apartment in the city. Five persons were arrested during a raid conducted in the Gonda police station area, while a large quantity of banking documents, debit cards, mobile phones and identity papers were recovered from their possession. Investigators suspect that the gang was using forged identity documents to open bank accounts that were later used to route money obtained through cyber fraud.
According to officials, police received information about suspicious activities being carried out by a group of youths from a flat located in Rock View Apartment in Dhawan Nagar under the Gonda police station limits. Acting on the tip-off, a special team conducted a late-night raid at the apartment. During the operation, several individuals were found inside the flat along with banking records and electronic devices believed to be linked to cybercrime activities.
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Police recovered 50 bank passbooks issued in different names, 26 debit cards, eight cheque books, 13 mobile phones and three Aadhaar cards during the search operation. All the materials were seized for further investigation. Authorities believe the accounts were being used as “mule accounts” to transfer and withdraw money linked to online fraud cases.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that multiple bank accounts had allegedly been opened using fake or manipulated documents and different identities. Investigators are now trying to trace the financial transactions carried out through these accounts and determine the extent of the fraud network, including whether victims from multiple states were targeted.
Those arrested have been identified as Kajal Kumar Mandal from Jamtara, Anand Kumar and Shakib Ansari from Ramgarh, and Bikki Kumar from Bokaro. A minor from Ramgarh was also taken into custody. Police suspect that the accused had been associated with cyber fraud operations for a considerable period and were performing different roles within the network. Some allegedly arranged bank accounts, while others handled digital transactions and operational activities.
During questioning, the accused reportedly disclosed the name of a person referred to as “Nikhil Bhaiya,” who is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation. According to investigators, he allegedly called the youths to the rented flat and trained them in cybercrime-related activities. Police teams are now conducting searches to trace his whereabouts. Officials suspect that the racket may have links extending beyond Jharkhand and could be connected to wider interstate cyber fraud networks.
Cybercrime experts say the use of fake or rented bank accounts in online fraud cases has increased significantly in recent years. Fraudsters often lure unemployed youths, students and financially vulnerable individuals with promises of commission or easy money in exchange for opening bank accounts or sharing banking credentials. These accounts are then used to layer and transfer fraudulent funds to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.
Commenting on the growing misuse of mule accounts in cybercrime, renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said cybercriminals are increasingly combining social engineering tactics with fake banking infrastructure to carry out large-scale frauds. He warned people against sharing personal documents, opening bank accounts for unknown persons or allowing others to use their accounts in exchange for money, as account holders themselves can face legal consequences in such cases.
Police have registered a case and initiated forensic examination of the seized mobile phones and banking records. Investigators are now analysing digital evidence to identify other members of the network and possible financial beneficiaries linked to the racket. Officials indicated that more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
