Srinagar, July 1 (IANS) Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore sub-division on Wednesday registered FIR against persons facilitating cyber fraud through the use of mule accounts.

Officials said the Cyber Police Station in Sopore has registered an FIR against individuals allegedly facilitating cyber fraud through the use of mule bank accounts,

Officials said on Wednesday that the action was part of an intensified drive to crack down on cyber financial crimes and networks that enable fraudsters to route or conceal illegally-obtained money through third-party bank accounts.

The official urged people not to share their bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books, Internet banking credentials, UPI IDs, OTPs, or any other digital banking details with anyone, warning that doing so could make them liable for criminal action if their accounts are used for fraudulent transactions.

Police has also urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to offers of easy money or commissions in exchange for allowing others to use their bank accounts.

A money mule is someone who unknowingly gets involved in a financial crime by allowing fraudsters to use their bank account to move stolen or illegal money. In most cases, scammers pose as employers, acquaintances, or online contacts and promise easy commissions for “receiving and forwarding” funds.

Mule account holders may be recruited knowingly or unknowingly. In some cases, individuals—often referred to as “money mules”—are tricked through job scams, phishing emails, or social media messages that offer quick income in exchange for sharing their bank details.

Once the criminals gain control, they route illegal transactions through these accounts, often using them for a limited period before moving on to other accounts. The growing sophistication of digital fraud has made mule accounts a significant threat in financial ecosystems.

These accounts play a central role in crimes like phishing, online fraud, human trafficking, and even terrorism financing.

Understanding what mule accounts are and how they operate is essential for both individuals and institutions to prevent misuse and protect financial systems.

–IANS

sq/rad