The Junagadh Cyber Crime Police, through Operation Mule Hunt, have exposed a substantial ₹253 crore cyber fraud. So far, they have arrested eight individuals, while one suspect, already imprisoned in Surat Jail, will be brought to Junagadh for questioning. This revelation has unfolded layers of a vast cyber crime network.
The arrested individuals are identified as Pawan Hirani, Javed Turk, Bharat Detronja, Arjun Gareja, Altaf Sama, Sonu Sodha, Chirag Sadhu, and Rakhshit Kachadia. Meanwhile, Hussein Turk is yet to be apprehended.
Learn more about:
Manipulation across 360+ bank accounts
The police investigations reveal that the suspects maneuvered massive amounts of money through over 360 bank accounts. The cyber fraud network was operational nationwide, conning people across various states.
Accounts spanning major banks like PNB, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, and Axis Bank were exploited for executing online fraud, fake transactions, and layering funds to obscure the original money source.
Investigation launched on Gujarat Government’s directive
Cyber Crime Officer C. V. Nayak noted that orders to scrutinize mule bank accounts exploited in cyber frauds were issued through Gujarat Government’s coordination portal. Subsequent investigations revealed 360 such accounts involved in hefty transactions.
Technical surveillance and banking details facilitated the identification of the entire network. Acting promptly, eight individuals were arrested in Junagadh.
Source: aajtak
Interrogation planned for jailed suspect
According to the police, one of the network's main suspects is already imprisoned in Surat Jail. He will be transferred to Junagadh for thorough questioning to gather information about others involved in the network.
The police indicate that the suspects tried to erase evidence by cycling money through various dummy and mule accounts.
Ongoing investigation and public appeal
The police are rigorously investigating all 360 bank accounts and continue searching for others linked to this racket. Cyber Crime Police foresee more arrests as the investigation progresses.
Cyber Crime Officer C. V. Nayak appeals to the public not to open bank accounts at someone else’s behest as they may be misused for cyber fraud. The police mention it as a significant breakthrough, but the investigation is still underway.
