PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
The Special Task Force (STF) have launched a crackdown on mule accounts used by cyber criminals to transfer and hide money obtained through online frauds. The STF senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh said that it has registered six cases so far and taken legal action against 10 accused involved in the network.
Singh said that mule accounts are bank accounts used by cyber criminals to receive and move money collected through fraud. During the investigation, the STF found that people from economically weaker sections and labour-class backgrounds were allegedly lured with promises of money or benefits under government schemes. Their bank accounts were then used by cyber criminals for illegal transactions.
He said that these accounts were linked to cyber fraud cases registered in several states, including Bihar, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Investigators found that money collected through digital arrest scams, investment frauds, share market scams, online trading frauds and task frauds was being transferred through these accounts.
Officials said the STF conducted a detailed investigation using banking records, KYC documents, digital evidence and money trail analysis. The probe revealed the existence of an organised network that supplied mule accounts to cyber criminals.
The STF said that legal action has already been initiated against 10 accused persons in six different cases. More arrests are expected as the investigation progresses. Officials are also examining the role of other suspects, bank accounts and possible involvement of bank employees.
