A suspected cybercrime network in Delhi has been uncovered after investigators traced 37 mule bank accounts allegedly used to route money from online fraud. Police have arrested 6 people, including 2 private bank branch managers, in connection with 99 cyber fraud complaints involving approximately ₹7.4 crore.
How the alleged fraud network operated
According to police, the accounts were opened using forged signatures and KYC documents obtained from unsuspecting daily-wage labourers. Investigators identified 20 suspected mule accounts at a private bank’s Tri Nagar branch and 17 more at its Saraswati Vihar branch.
The investigation began after police found that an account registered in the name of a person identified as Rahul had allegedly been opened without his knowledge or visit to the branch. Investigators also found that some account holders’ addresses could not be verified and that their photographs and KYC documents had not been captured in person.
Police identified Mayank Kapoor, alias Rinku, 35, as an alleged operator of the accounts. He was arrested in Delhi’s Baba Haridas Nagar. During questioning, Kapoor allegedly disclosed that he obtained labourers’ documents and photographs by contacting them on the pretext of arranging loans. He also allegedly arranged SIM cards in their names.
Alleged involvement of bank employees
Police said Kapoor came into contact with Shobhit Aggarwal, 38, a manager at the Saraswati Vihar branch, who allegedly helped open accounts without the account holders being physically present. Aggarwal later introduced Kapoor to Sushant Kumar, manager of the Tri Nagar branch.
Sales team members Manoj, Ankur, Fatma and Pankaj allegedly processed the accounts, which were approved by the branch managers. Police suspect that a portion of the fraud proceeds was paid to Aggarwal, while the remaining money was converted into cryptocurrency.
Aggarwal and the 4 sales staff members were arrested on October 18. Kapoor was arrested separately during the investigation.
Documents and devices seized
During searches, police recovered 63 Aadhaar cards, 60 PAN cards and 55 passport-size photographs. Investigators also seized 7 mobile phones, 11 SIM cards, a laptop, 7 cheque books, 7 debit cards, ₹60,000 in cash and approximately 150 grams of gold jewellery.
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