Rajasthan's Cyber Police Fight Mule Accounts Used in Cybercrimes

Rajasthan's cyber police are struggling to keep up with the growing number of bank accounts being misused in cybercrimes.

Mule Accounts: A Major Challenge for Cyber Police

The use of 'mule accounts' as a means to route or receive money linked to cyber fraud is becoming increasingly common, according to statewide data.

This has led to a significant increase in the number of cases registered

However, the problem goes beyond organised cybercriminals.

According to DIG Shantanu Kumar of Rajasthan's cyber cell, some people hand over their account details to be used for cybercrime out of naivety or because they need money.

'People who may not be directly involved in committing cyber fraud have willingly handed over their bank accounts to fraudsters in return for money,' he said. 'After they are caught, these people are charged with conspiracy in the crime.'

The practice has created a complex challenge for investigators as it requires tracing the money trail from multiple bank accounts and transactions.

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Police have also identified cases where poor labourers and college students were persuaded to open bank accounts on false promises of government schemes, free PAN cards, scholarships, and loans.

A special operation was conducted across Rajasthan to tackle the problem, which has highlighted the reach of cybercriminal networks.

In one case, a bank employee allegedly helped a gang gain the trust of account holders, leading them to hand over their account details.

The accounts were then used to receive money cheated from victims across India through various means, including stock-market and betting-related frauds.

Police are now focusing on both account holders and the operators behind the networks, with some cases involving people knowingly providing their accounts in exchange for money.

The emergence of such cases has surprised the police administration and highlighted the need for awareness campaigns to prevent such scams.