Mumbai Cyber Police Probe Mule Account Scam

Mumbai's Cyber Police have launched an investigation into a major interstate cyber fraud network operating through a mule bank account. The account, which belonged to Kalyan Kishanrao Khardemoje, a resident of Malegaon in Nanded district, was used to receive stolen funds and route them through secondary bank channels or cash withdrawals at ATMs.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) registered by police head constable Rajendra Rajgire, the cyber criminal syndicate operated in an organised manner, targeting innocent citizens through online channels and offering lucrative investment opportunities, part-time job assignments, and digital arrest threats to extort money.

The investigation gained momentum after the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) tracked suspicious financial movement to the bank account in Nanded. A deep dive into the financial transactions revealed that the account functioned as a 'mule account', used solely to receive stolen funds and rapidly route them through secondary bank channels or cash withdrawals at ATMs.

A detailed analysis of the account's history showed a massive surge in illicit transactions between November 17, 2025, and March 31, 2026. During a brief ten-day window in 2026 alone, the account registered a high-volume transaction total of over Rs 26.89 lakh. Out of this amount, at least Rs 9.51 lakh has been directly linked to five official cybercrime complaints lodged across the country.

The Cyber Police, in coordination with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, have frozen the compromised bank account to prevent further asset depletion. A formal case has been registered against the account holder and the unidentified operators utilising the account. Authorities are currently conducting raids to apprehend the local handlers and trace the ultimate beneficiaries of the laundered money.

The cyber fraud network exposed by the Mumbai Cyber Police is a significant concern for citizens across the country, as it highlights the organised nature of cybercrime and the need for vigilance when engaging in online transactions. The use of mule accounts to launder stolen funds is a common tactic employed by cybercriminals, and the freezing of the account in this case is a crucial step in preventing further financial losses.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Cyber Police are working to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the cyber fraud network. The case serves as a reminder to citizens to be cautious when receiving unsolicited offers or threats online and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.

The Mumbai Cyber Police's efforts to combat cybercrime are crucial in protecting citizens from financial losses and ensuring that those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice. The case is a significant development in the fight against cybercrime and highlights the importance of coordination between law enforcement agencies and financial institutions in preventing and investigating such crimes.

In conclusion, the Mumbai Cyber Police's probe into the mule account scam is a significant step in combating cybercrime and protecting citizens from financial losses. The case serves as a reminder to citizens to be vigilant when engaging in online transactions and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.