A routine complaint of online cheating soon uncovered a wider cyber fraud network operating through mule bank accounts. Believing the scheme to be genuine, the complainant transferred around ₹93000 to multiple bank accounts. Communication stopped shortly after, leading the victim to realise he had been cheated and file a police complaint.
During the investigation, police found that the defrauded amount was routed through mule accounts. Based on technical analysis of call detail records, IMEI data, and bank transaction trails, teams identified and arrested Himanshu Sharma, Chatra Abhijeet Lamba, and Sahil Joshi, all residents of Rajasthan.
Investigators said the accused were part of a larger network that supplied bank accounts along with SIM cards and net banking access to cyber fraud operators. In return, they allegedly earned commissions ranging from ₹7000 to ₹25000 per account.
Raids conducted in Jaipur and Alwar led to their arrest. Police said the accused acted as middlemen between account holders and cybercrime handlers, helping move stolen money quickly.
In a separate but linked case, police arrested 5 more accused. These included Mannu aged 23 from Burari, Ajay aged 25 from Khari Bawli, Aniket aged 22 and Ganesh Rathi aged 25 from Loni in Ghaziabad, and Parveen aged 22 from Begumpur. They are accused of providing not only their own bank accounts but also arranging mule and corporate accounts to route fraud proceeds.
Police said these accounts were used for layering transactions. Money was moved through several accounts before being withdrawn in cash to hide the original source.
Further progress came after analysing complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Officers found that funds from multiple unrelated cyber fraud cases were passing through a common set of bank accounts, including one at a public sector bank branch in Burari.
Police said the accused coordinated with handlers through social media platforms. Withdrawals were made using ATMs and cheques after sufficient layering to reduce traceability.
During searches, police seized 6 mobile phones, 6 SIM cards, and other digital evidence. Officials said the devices may reveal links to more network members and handlers, possibly operating outside Delhi. The probe is ongoing to determine interstate or wider national links.
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