Sambhal Police’s recent bust of a cyber fraud racket spanning 11 states reveals the central role of mule accounts in modern cybercrime and the challenges of tracking multi-jurisdictional financial frauds.
Background and Timeline:
The breakthrough came as part of a special campaign against cybercrime, with the cyber police team analyzing suspicious bank accounts flagged by the Government of India’s Pratibimbh portal. The investigation led to the identification of multiple mule accounts used to route and withdraw fraudulently obtained funds. The arrests were made in early January 2026.
Modus Operandi:
The accused operated by hacking victims’ mobile phones and contacting individuals from their contact lists, posing as acquaintances in distress and soliciting urgent financial help. In some cases, they obtained victims’ photographs and threatened to edit and circulate them in obscene form unless money was paid. The gang opened at least 10 bank accounts across various banks, using them to launder and withdraw proceeds from fraudulent activities. The accounts were linked to 25 complaints across 11 states, with total credits of around ₹17 lakh and withdrawals of nearly ₹16 lakh.
Victims and Financial Impact:
Preliminary scrutiny confirmed cyber fraud amounting to approximately ₹12.22 lakh, with the total suspected amount exceeding ₹17 lakh. The accounts were linked to complaints from states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Assam, and Rajasthan. The widespread nature of the fraud underscores the scale of the operation and the challenges of inter-state coordination.
Investigation and Agencies Involved:
The Sambhal Cyber Police led the investigation, with support from the Pratibimbh portal and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The police recovered four mobile phones used in the crimes and are continuing to investigate additional links and potential accomplices. The arrested individuals have been sent to judicial custody, and further arrests are anticipated.
Arrests and Suspects:
Five accused—Shahrukh, Salman, Aman, Guddu Raghav, and Pawan—were arrested, all residents of Bhawan village under Bahjoi police station. The investigation is ongoing to identify other members of the gang and additional links to the broader network.
Broader Implications and Trends:
The case highlights the centrality of mule accounts in cyber fraud, the use of social engineering and blackmail tactics, and the need for advanced monitoring tools to detect suspicious banking activity. The government and RBI have responded by deploying AI tools to identify and shut down mule accounts, but the scale and adaptability of such networks remain a significant challenge for law enforcement.