Srinagar: The Cyber Police in Kashmir have unearthed a major racket of “mule bank accounts” which serve as channels for the receipt and transfer of unlawfully obtained funds of cyber fraudsters, news agency Kashmir Scroll reported Tuesday.
It said such activities are part of organized fraud operations targeting vulnerable segments of the society, including homemakers, the economically disadvantaged, auto-rickshaw drivers, labourers, and local vendors.
Police said that the funds, often acquired through online fraudulent means such as investment scams, online gaming apps, phishing or identity theft, are discreetly shuffled between multiple accounts to evade detection.
Perpetrators, operating from outside the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, lured potential victims through emails, chatrooms or social media, offering inducements in exchange for renting out their bank accounts. Once trapped, victims unknowingly help in illegal transactions through mule bank accounts, sending the money to the criminals’ main accounts, police said.
Acting in the matter, Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, has filed a case vide FIR No. 10/2024 under relevant legal provisions and initiated a comprehensive investigation, police said.
Subsequent inquiries have revealed numerous mule accounts operating in various districts of Kashmir, with transactions of crores of rupees.
Four individuals from Srinagar city have been identified in orchestrating and managing these mule bank accounts, as well as enticing unsuspecting individuals to participate in these illegal activities, they said.
Subsequently, these four accused persons identified as Sajad Ahmad Rah, son of Mohammad Maqbool Rah of Chinar Colony Mehjoor Nagar; Tawqair Ahmad Bhat, son of Tariq Ahmad Bhat of Banpora Nowgam; Ubaid Ahmad ,Rah son of Mohammad Ayoub Rah of Hamdania Colony Bemina, and Amir Rah, son of Mohammad Maqbool Rah of Chinar Colony Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar have been arrested, police said.
Cyber Police Kashmir has also urged the public to remain vigilant and guard against falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.
“Fraudsters often exploit unsuspecting individuals through personal or social media platforms, dangling promises of rewards, incentives, or ‘work from home’ opportunities. Participation in money mule activities is unlawful and carries severe legal ramifications, including imprisonment. Should you suspect being victimized by money laundering or inadvertently engaging as a money mule, prompt reporting to the authorities is imperative,” police said.
