Surat, June 3 (IANS) The Surat City Police have arrested 77 people across several states and registered 58 cyber fraud cases after a three-day operation targeting mule account networks used to move and conceal proceeds from online scams, uncovering fraud transactions worth Rs 23.85 crore and freezing more than Rs 1.04 crore linked to the accounts under investigation.

The action was carried out under “Operation Mule Hunt 2.0”, a special drive conducted from May 31 to June 2 under the direct supervision of Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot.

The operation aimed to identify and dismantle mule account networks, which police describe as a critical link in cyber-enabled financial crimes.

According to the police, digital fraud cases have risen significantly in recent years. Cybercriminals typically transfer funds obtained through fraud from one bank account to multiple accounts in rapid succession before withdrawing them from ATMs.

This multilayered process makes it difficult for investigators to trace stolen funds and return them to victims. Police said mule accounts are often obtained from economically weaker individuals by offering rent or commission.

The account holders permit cyber criminals to use their bank accounts and, in doing so, become part of criminal activity. Investigators said such accounts play a crucial role in laundering and moving proceeds from cyber fraud.

As part of their preparations, the city police spent nearly a month conducting intensive, confidential planning.

Investigators said cyber fraud groups commonly obtain Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, photographs, mobile numbers, and other KYC documents from individuals and use them to open new bank accounts in those names.

After the accounts are opened, the criminals allegedly retain possession of ATM cards, cheque books, passbooks, SIM cards, internet banking user IDs, passwords, and UPI credentials, while paying the account holder only a fixed sum or commission.

Police said this arrangement makes it extremely difficult to determine who is actually operating the accounts and significantly lengthens investigations.

To prepare for the operation, the city police formed specialised teams and conducted a detailed analysis of complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) and of suspicious mule bank accounts.

Cyber teams at every police station in the city were directed to gather information on suspected mule accounts within their respective jurisdictions.

Coordination meetings were held on May 15 with senior banking officials, fintech companies, telecom service providers, and officials from the Department of Telecommunications to improve information sharing and strengthen investigative efforts.

On May 16, more than 500 police personnel from police stations across Surat received specialised training from cyber experts and chartered accountants on identifying mule accounts and investigating complex financial crime networks.

Following the analysis of complaints registered on the NCCRP portal and suspicious banking activity, police registered cyber fraud cases and launched simultaneous raids.

Fifty teams from the Cyber Crime Cell and police stations across Surat were deployed nationwide to apprehend suspects.

Using the central and state governments’ platforms, NCCRP, SAMANVAYA, and SAHYOG, investigators conducted technical analysis to identify suspects. Arrests were made in several districts of Gujarat as well as in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and other states.

Police said the operation resulted in the registration of 58 cyber fraud cases and the arrest of 77 accused persons. Fraud transactions worth Rs 23,85,52,482 were uncovered, while Rs 1,04,17,365 was frozen during the investigation.

The mule accounts identified during the operation were linked to 339 complaints registered across the country.

The Cyber Crime Police Station recorded the highest number of cases, registering 18 FIRs, arresting 22 accused, and uncovering fraud worth Rs 23.24 crore.

Jahangirpura Police Station detected fraud worth more than Rs 30.10 lakh and arrested three accused, while Pandesara Police Station registered two cases and arrested four accused.

Several other police stations across Surat registered cases and made arrests as part of the operation, including Ashwinikumar, Athwalines, Adajan, Amroli, Althan, Ichhapore, Utran, Udhna, Umra, Katargam, Kapodra, Khatodara, Godadara, Chok Bazar, Dindoli, Dumas, Pal, Puna, Bhestan, Mahidharpura, Rander, Laskana, Lalgate, Limbayat, Varachha, Vesu, Sachin, Sachin GIDC, Sarthana, Saroli, Salabatpura, Singanpor, and Hazira.

Investigators said the accused were allegedly involved in a wide range of cyber fraud schemes, including hotel booking fraud, insurance policy fraud, investment fraud, fake shopping advertisement scams conducted through social media platforms, work visa fraud, diamond training fraud, driving licence facilitation fraud, mobile hacking through APK files, loan fraud, parcel delivery fraud, job fraud, and other online scams.

According to police, once victims transferred money, the accused immediately moved the funds into various mule accounts and systematically layered transactions to conceal the proceeds.

The police also disclosed criminal histories for some of those arrested.

Keval Tejani, arrested by Ashwinikumar Police Station, had previously been booked in cyber fraud cases registered at Sarthana and Laskana police stations under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

Adajan Police Station arrested Faizal Sheikh, who had earlier been booked under the same provisions in a 2025 case.

One accused arrested in connection with the Ichhapore case was linked to a case registered on June 1 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

Among those arrested by the Umra Police Station, Rahul Chavda had previously been booked at Puna Police Station under Sections 112(2), 317(2), and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Another accused, Shiva Makwana, had earlier been booked at Kapodra Police Station under IPC Sections 363, 366, 376, and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Rajesh Gadhia was also found to have a previous case registered at Utran Police Station.

Mahidharpura Police Station arrested Akshitkumar Katariya, who had earlier been booked in separate cases at Katargam and Varachha police stations under Sections 114, 406, 409, and 420 of the IPC.

Police said further analysis of mule account data is continuing, and additional offences may be registered as investigators identify other individuals involved in the network.

–IANS

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