Valsad Cyber Crime Cell has arrested Rahul Kumar Chaudhary, a resident of Ranchhod Nagar, Vapi, for allegedly using bank accounts belonging to his wife and relatives to receive and withdraw cyber fraud proceeds totalling ₹11,35,975. The arrest was made on 19 September 2026 as part of Operation Mule Hunt 2.0, a crackdown on so-called 'mule accounts' used to launder money obtained through cybercrime.

How the Fraud Network Was Uncovered

The investigation began when the Valsad Cyber Crime team conducted a detailed analysis of bank accounts suspected of functioning as mule accounts. Police zeroed in on the account of Khushi Kumari Nishad, a resident of Chanod, Vapi, held with The Shamrao Vithal Co-operative Bank Ltd. Between February and August 2026, the account recorded transactions totalling ₹1,46,96,656 — a volume far beyond what would be expected of a routine account holder.

Investigators found that around nine cybercrime complaints had been registered across different states in connection with that account, with fraud proceeds of approximately ₹6,26,879 credited to it. During questioning, Khushi Kumari told police that she had handed over the account to her brother-in-law, Rahul Kumar, who is originally from Samastipur district, Bihar.

Accused Allegedly Used Multiple Accounts and Crypto Platform

Following the disclosure, police placed Rahul under surveillance and detained him for questioning. Investigations revealed that he had allegedly obtained bank accounts belonging to his wife and other relatives and was using them in various ways to route cyber fraud proceeds. According to police, fraud money was transferred into the accounts of his wife and sister-in-law, after which Rahul allegedly visited the bank personally to withdraw the funds.

Notably, the probe also uncovered the use of the Binance cryptocurrency application, through which Rahul allegedly purchased and sold USDT — a dollar-pegged stablecoin — to further move fraud proceeds. An additional ₹5,09,096 in fraud money was found credited to his wife's account. Combined with the ₹6,26,879 traced to Khushi Kumari's account, the total cyber fraud amount identified in the investigation stood at ₹11,35,975, police confirmed.

Case Registered, Items Seized

The Valsad Cyber Crime Police Station has registered a case against Rahul under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 318(4), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2008. Police seized two cheque books and a mobile phone from the accused; the phone was found to contain one SIM card and a Binance ID.

Police confirmed that the investigation into the bank accounts of Rahul and other relatives, as well as the transactions conducted through them, is ongoing.

Warning to the Public on Mule Accounts

Authorities explained that fraud gangs typically use platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp to lure ordinary individuals with small monetary incentives, before using their bank accounts to route illicit funds — a practice that creates so-called 'mule accounts'. Police warned that account holders bear legal responsibility for any illegal use of their accounts and urged citizens not to share their bank accounts or SIM cards with anyone, regardless of the inducement offered.

With the investigation still active, further arrests involving other account holders or associates cannot be ruled out.