CBI Cracks Down On Cybercrime: 9 Arrested, 8.5 Lakh Mule Accounts Uncovered
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a nationwide crackdown on cybercrime, conducting coordinated searches at 42 locations across five states: Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Dubbed Operation Chakra-V, the exercise aims to dismantle the infrastructure behind cybercrimes, particularly those involving mule bank accounts.
According to sources, CBI’s investigation has revealed that organised scammers were using mule bank accounts to transfer proceeds of cyber frauds, including digital arrest scams, impersonation, fraudulent advertisements, investment frauds, and UPI-based financial frauds. These fraudsters were being aided by certain bank officials, agents, aggregators, bank correspondents, middlemen, and e-Mitras who were facilitating the opening of mule accounts.
CBI’s inquiry found that over 700 branches of various banks across India had opened around 8.5 lakh mule accounts, often without proper KYC norms or Customer Due Diligence. Branch managers had also failed to conduct Enhanced Due Diligence on suspicious transaction alerts. Some banks had not sent acknowledgement letters to customers to verify their addresses.
During the searches, the CBI has seized incriminating documents, digital evidence, mobile phones, bank account opening documents, transaction details, and KYC documents. Nine accused individuals, including middlemen, agents, aggregators, account holders, and bank correspondents, were arrested for their involvement in opening and facilitating mule bank accounts.
The 9 arrested accused are:
- Lovkesh Shakya (Delhi)
- Savan Kumar (Delhi)
- Vishal (Delhi)
- Farman Beg (Uttarakhand)
- Purushottam (Uttarakhand)
- Shubham Kamboj (Uttar Pradesh)
- Umardeen (Uttar Pradesh)
- Yousuf (Rajasthan)
- Ashok Kumar (Rajasthan)
The CBI’s action is part of the Government of India’s ongoing commitment to deal with cybercrimes and their perpetrators sternly. The agency is working to dismantle the infrastructure behind these offences and bring those responsible to justice.