Mumbai Police Busts Inter-State Cybercrime Racket

The Dongri Police cyber team has busted an inter-state racket that allegedly supplied 'mule bank accounts' for cyber frauds carried out in the name of online gaming, cricket betting, and casino platforms. The racket was uncovered following a planned investigation based on reliable and confidential information received by the Dongri Police cyber team.

Three accused, Nikhil Kamalkumar Jaswani, 28, Rahul Shyamlal Parwani, 32, and Jai Biharilal Tirathani, 26, all residents of Madhya Pradesh, have been arrested in connection with the case. The police are searching for five other accused.

The accused allegedly targeted financially vulnerable people by offering them small financial incentives to open bank accounts in their names. They then took possession of the account holders' passbooks, debit cards, cheque books, SIM cards, and other banking-related documents and allegedly used the accounts for financial transactions linked to cyber frauds.

The investigation was expanded to various regions, including Govandi, Mankhurd, and Dongri in Mumbai, as well as Belapur and Panvel in Navi Mumbai and Osmanabad. The police conducted an operation outside Sandhurst Road railway station and arrested the three accused.

During the investigation, the police seized 42 bank passbooks, 70 debit cards, 36 SIM cards, 23 mobile phones, three laptops, one tablet, 12 bank kits, and one car from the arrested accused. The total value of the seized property is estimated at around Rs 50 lakh.

The police have so far identified 17 bank accounts linked to the racket and have received details from the respective banks. Verification of the financial transactions, technical information, and cybercrime complaints registered in different states has revealed that these 17 accounts are allegedly linked to 38 cybercrime cases/complaints across the country.

The cases include two from Maharashtra, nine from Karnataka, six from Telangana, and two from Delhi. The police are conducting a technical analysis of the data stored on the seized digital devices, which could reveal more people and transactions linked to the network.

The Dongri Police cyber team has registered a case under Sections 318(4), 317, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Three women have been served notices under Section 35(3) of the BNSS.

The busting of the inter-state racket is a significant achievement for the Mumbai Police, and it highlights the growing concern of cybercrime in the city. The police are working tirelessly to curb such activities and protect the citizens from falling prey to such frauds.

The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to trace the other accused and uncover more details about the racket. The case is a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and cautious while dealing with online transactions and financial activities.

In conclusion, the Dongri Police cyber team has made a significant breakthrough in busting an inter-state cybercrime racket, and it is a testament to their dedication and hard work in keeping the city safe from such activities. The case will have a significant impact on the city's efforts to combat cybercrime and protect its citizens from falling prey to such frauds.