Thane: The Crime Branch in Maharashtra’s Thane district has busted an alleged network that supplied bank accounts to cybercriminals. Six people have been arrested in the case. Investigators found that the bank accounts allegedly provided by the accused were being used to receive, hold and transfer money obtained through cyber fraud. Suspicious transactions worth ₹57.25 crore have been detected through these accounts, which police said were being used as “mule accounts”.
The action was carried out by Crime Branch Unit 4 following a tip-off at a location in Mohol, Solapur district. During the raid, police seized three laptops, 29 mobile phones, 23 SIM cards, 155 ATM cards, 105 bank passbooks and chequebooks, along with ₹74,350 in cash. The large volume of banking documents and digital devices has prompted investigators to widen the probe.
Accounts Linked to 96 Cybercrime Complaints
During the investigation, police found that the bank accounts connected to the accused were linked to 96 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Most of the complaints were reportedly filed in Delhi, Punjab, Odisha and Maharashtra. Investigators are now matching the transactions mentioned in these complaints with the accounts allegedly supplied by the accused.
Mule accounts are commonly used by cybercriminals to receive and move fraud proceeds. Such accounts may be opened or arranged in the names of other individuals and then handed over to criminals in exchange for money or commissions. Fraud proceeds are first credited to these accounts before being transferred to other bank accounts or moved through other channels.
Fraud Linked to Online Betting and Gaming
According to police, some of the transactions being examined are connected with alleged cyber fraud carried out through illegal online betting and gaming platforms. Investigators are trying to determine how victims were allegedly lured through these platforms and how the fraud proceeds were subsequently moved through multiple bank accounts.
Police allege that the arrested suspects either opened bank accounts for cybercriminals or arranged accounts belonging to other people and made them available for fraudulent transactions. Investigators are now examining whether the accused received commissions for each account and how they established contact with the wider cybercrime network.
155 ATM Cards and 105 Passbooks Under Scanner
The recovery of 155 ATM cards and 105 bank passbooks and chequebooks is considered significant to the investigation. Police are examining the documents to establish how many accounts were allegedly controlled by the network and who operated them.
The 29 mobile phones and 23 SIM cards are also being examined for evidence of communication between the accused and other members of the alleged network. Investigators are expected to analyse call records, messages, account details and other digital evidence to identify additional suspects.
₹57.25 Crore Transactions Being Traced
Police are now mapping the ₹57.25 crore in suspected transactions against individual cybercrime complaints. Investigators are examining where the fraud proceeds originated, which accounts received the money and where it was subsequently transferred.
Banking records, mobile data and information available through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal are being analysed together to establish the flow of money and identify other people involved.
The Crime Branch is also investigating whether the six arrested suspects were limited to supplying mule accounts or played a broader role in the alleged cyber fraud operations. Further action will depend on the evidence recovered from the seized banking records and digital devices.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
