Punjab Police Uncover Criminal Gang Behind Mule Accounts; Three Arrested
Synopsis
In a significant crackdown, the Punjab Police's Cyber Crime Division has arrested three individuals linked to a gang facilitating mule accounts for cyber fraud, uncovering a network that has operated for two years, earning substantial illicit commissions.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Police has arrested three individuals linked to a gang facilitating mule accounts .
Approximately Rs 20 lakh in funds were frozen during the operation.
The suspects operated under the fake business name “Brother Traders” .
They have been involved in these activities for the past two years, earning Rs 50 lakh in commissions.
Investigation revealed connections to Chinese nationals and extensive cyber fraud activities.
Chandigarh, March 20 (NationPress) The Punjab Police's State Cyber Crime Division has successfully dismantled a criminal organization that specialized in the establishment and provision of bank accounts, referred to as mule accounts, to cyber fraudsters for the purpose of routing, layering, and settling stolen funds, as announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Friday.
A mule account is a bank account exploited by criminals to receive, transfer, or launder illicit funds, often without the account holder's knowledge or sometimes with their active participation.
The suspects have been named as Gurjeet Singh, Raman Rai, and Sukhdev Singh, all hailing from Jalalabad in Fazilka. They operated from a rented space in Mohali under the guise of “Brother Traders”, where they facilitated the provision of current bank accounts for illicit cyber activities.
Authorities have frozen about Rs 20 lakh linked to this criminal group, recovering 23 ATM cards, two laptops, seven mobile devices, five SIM cards, counterfeit bank and KYC documents, along with 14 cheque books, six stamps, and cryptocurrency valued at 5,100 USDT.
DGP Yadav revealed that the investigation uncovered the gang's involvement in these illegal activities for the past two years, garnering an estimated Rs 50 lakh in commissions by supplying mule accounts to cyber criminals.
“The bank accounts were opened using forged and altered documents, and to avoid detection, the suspects rented a room in Mohali where they created a facade of a legitimate business, even changing signage and stocking Ayurvedic products to project an image of a credible enterprise,” he elaborated.
Special Director General of Police (Cyber Crime) V. Neeraja shared that actions were initiated as part of ongoing operations targeting “domestic hotspots” to combat cybercrime.
“The investigation revealed direct links between the suspects and Chinese nationals via Telegram, where they provided bank accounts and received profits in USDT cryptocurrency,” she mentioned, noting that these mule accounts were connected to 24 victims of cyber fraud, with Rs 26.65 lakh currently under lien in those accounts.
She further indicated that inquiries into the confiscated ATM cards are ongoing, aiming to identify more victims of cyber fraud associated with this network and to unveil the full scope of their operations.
Point of View
The dismantling of this gang highlights the ongoing battle against cybercrime in India, emphasizing the need for robust measures to combat the increasing sophistication of financial fraud. The proactive steps taken by law enforcement reflect a commitment to safeguard citizens from such illicit activities.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are mule accounts?
Mule accounts are bank accounts used by criminals to receive, transfer, or launder illicit funds, often without the knowledge of the account holders.
How much money was frozen by the police?
The police froze approximately Rs 20 lakh linked to the criminal gang.
What was the gang's method of operation?
The gang opened bank accounts using forged documents and created a facade of a legitimate business to evade detection.
Who were the suspects arrested?
The suspects arrested were Gurjeet Singh, Raman Rai, and Sukhdev Singh, all from Jalalabad in Fazilka.
What is the significance of this bust?
This bust is significant as it reveals a network involved in cyber fraud, demonstrating the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating financial crimes.
