A nationwide money-laundering investigation linked to cybercrime has led to another arrest, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) taking into custody Mukesh Kumar Pukhraj Jain, who is allegedly associated with a cybercrime network as an RTGS facilitator.
The arrest was announced on 17 October 2026. The investigation began after a digital arrest fraud case involving ₹2.60 crore was reported in Goa, bringing the total number of arrests by the ED in the probe to 6.
Investigators reportedly traced around 400 bank accounts used to move the original victim’s money. The wider probe identified connected businesses operating in trading, commodities, travel and foreign exchange. Their banking transactions exceeded ₹27,850 crore, while cash deposits amounted to approximately ₹2,904 crore.
The ED also linked accounts associated with the network to around 300 cybercrime complaints and 163 FIRs across 20 states and Union Territories. These cases involved reported losses of approximately ₹417.49 crore.
Transaction volume differs from confirmed fraud losses
The ₹30,000-crore figure refers to the financial transactions under investigation. It does not represent verified cyberfraud losses. Jain’s alleged role remains subject to judicial determination.
The investigation highlights how cybercrime proceeds can pass through organised financial networks involving bank accounts, RTGS transfers, cash deposits, foreign-exchange businesses and commercial entities.
Tracing such activity requires investigators to examine mule accounts, follow RTGS transfers, track cash deposits, identify foreign-exchange conversions, establish beneficial ownership and determine the movement of suspected proceeds of crime.
The ED’s latest arrest adds another development to the pan-India probe into the alleged movement of funds linked to cyberfraud.
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