Srinagar: Cyber Police Station Sopore has registered an FIR against persons allegedly involved in operating and facilitating “mule accounts” as part of a crackdown on cyber-enabled financial fraud in Jammu and Kashmir.
Police said the action is aimed at dismantling financial networks used by cyber criminals to route money obtained through online scams and to protect citizens from cyber fraud.
According to police, a mule account is a bank account that is knowingly or unknowingly used by cyber criminals to receive, transfer or withdraw money generated through online frauds, including investment scams, digital arrest scams, OTP and UPI frauds, job scams and phishing. Such accounts are used to conceal the identity of fraudsters and facilitate the movement of illegally obtained funds.
Cyber Police Station Sopore said it has taken cognisance of such activities and initiated legal action by registering an FIR. Investigations are underway to identify all persons involved and trace the movement of fraudulently obtained money.
Police cautioned the public against allowing others to use their bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books, internet or mobile banking facilities, UPI IDs, debit or credit cards, OTPs, PINs, passwords or any other banking credentials. It warned that anyone who knowingly or negligently permits the use of such facilities for cyber fraud may face criminal prosecution under the relevant provisions of law.
People have been advised not to share their bank accounts or digital payment credentials in exchange for commissions, easy money or any other inducement. Police also urged citizens to report cyber fraud or suspicious financial transactions through the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, or the nearest police or cyber police station.
