PS Cyber East has busted a network allegedly involved in procurement and use of mule bank accounts for routing proceeds of cyber fraud. Three accused persons, namely Sunny, Zaid and Ghani Khan, have been arrested in the present case., Investigation revealed the alleged collection and circulation of bank account-opening kits, ATM cards and other account-related material for use in the cyber-fraud network. One Maruti Suzuki Brezza and three mobile phones used by the accused persons have been recovered. The money trail, bank records, ATM withdrawal details and digital evidence were analysed to identify the accused and establish their linkages.
Face2News/New Delhi
In a significant breakthrough against cyber fraud, the team of PS Cyber East has busted a mule-account based cyber fraud network and arrested three accused persons namely Sunny, Zaid and Ghani Khan. The case originated from a fake-refund cyber fraud in which the complainant was cheated of ₹47,971/- after being contacted by fraudsters through WhatsApp on the pretext of processing a refund for an online dry-fruit order.
During investigation, detailed analysis of the banking trail, ATM withdrawals, digital evidence and mobile-phone data revealed that the cheated amount was routed through the bank account of accused Sunny, which was allegedly being used as a mule account. Further investigation led to the identification and arrest of Zaid and Ghani Khan, who were allegedly involved in collecting bank account-opening kits and other account-related material from Delhi for use in the network. One Maruti Suzuki Brezza and three mobile phones have been recovered. Further investigation is underway to trace the complete money trail, identify additional mule accounts and ascertain the involvement of other members of the network.
The present case was registered on the complaint of Sh. Gopal Krishna, R/o Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, who reported being cheated of ₹47,971/- in a fake-refund cyber fraud. The complainant had placed an online order for dry fruits after seeing an advertisement on Facebook. Subsequently, fraudsters contacted him through WhatsApp on the pretext that the order could not be delivered and that a refund would be processed. Acting upon the instructions conveyed by the caller, the complainant followed the given steps, resulting in an unauthorised transaction of ₹47,971/- from his bank account. During investigation, the trail of the cheated amount was traced to a Punjab National Bank account maintained at Trilokpuri, Delhi, which was found to be in the name of accused Sunny.
The cheated amount was routed through the said account and subsequently withdrawn through an ATM. Accordingly, FIR No. 72/2026, U/s 118(2)/318(4) BNS, PS Cyber Police Station, East District, Delhi, was registered and investigation was taken up by SI Azad Singh Malik.
Considering the nature of the suspected network, a dedicated team of PS Cyber East was constituted to analyse the money trail, identify mule-account holders, examine digital evidence and trace other persons involved in the network. The team worked under the supervision of ACP/Ops Amandeep Kaur and under the leadership of SHO Insp. Pawan Yadav. The team comprised SI Azad Singh Malik, SI Bhanu, HC Ajay, Ct. Mohit, Ct. Kuldeep and Ct. Arjun Rana. The team conducted detailed analysis of bank records, ATM withdrawal details, mobile-phone data and movement of suspects, which resulted in identification and subsequent arrest of the accused persons.
INVESTIGATION: During investigation, scrutiny of bank records, ATM withdrawal trails and digital evidence revealed that the PNB account of accused Sunny was allegedly being used as a mule account for receiving proceeds of cyber fraud. Sunny was interrogated and arrested as per law. His mobile phone was also recovered. Preliminary examination of the device revealed relevant digital material relating to the use and circulation of bank accounts. Further investigation revealed the involvement of other persons allegedly engaged in collecting and transporting bank account-opening kits, ATM cards and other account-related material for use in the cyber-fraud network.
ARREST OF OTHER ACCUSED: During further investigation, accused Zaid S/o Akhtar Hussain, aged 26 years, R/o Aminabad, PO Naheda, District Mewat, Haryana, and Ghani Khan, aged 31 years, R/o Daulatpur, Tehsil Govardhan, District Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, were found allegedly involved in collecting bank account-opening kits from Delhi for use in the network. Both accused persons were apprehended near Nizamuddin, Delhi, and were interrogated and arrested as per law. A Maruti Suzuki Brezza, White, bearing registration No. HR52K**** allegedly used for travelling to Delhi for collecting bank account-opening kits and other fraud-related material, was also recovered and seized during investigation.
All three accused persons—Sunny, Zaid and Ghani Khan—have been arrested in the present case and sent to judicial custody. Further investigation is being carried out to identify other persons involved in the network, establish the complete money trail, identify additional mule accounts and examine the recovered digital devices for further linkages.
INTERROGATION & ROLE OF ACCUSED: During interrogation, accused Sunny disclosed his alleged role in providing his PNB bank account for receiving cyber-fraud proceeds against commission. He further disclosed the involvement of other persons in handling ATM cards, bank account-opening kits and withdrawal of fraud proceeds. Further investigation into the roles of Zaid and Ghani Khan revealed their alleged involvement in collecting and transporting bank account-opening kits and other account-related material from Delhi. The investigation is continuing to ascertain the complete network and identify other persons and accounts connected with the fraud. Further investigation is in progress, said Mr. Rajeev Kumar, IPS, DCP East District, Delhi
MOTIVE: Investigation so far indicates that the accused persons were allegedly operating at different levels of the network for monetary commission. Mule bank accounts were allegedly used for receiving cyber-fraud proceeds, which were subsequently withdrawn through ATMs and further routed as directed by other members of the network. The investigation is focused on tracing the complete financial trail and identifying the persons controlling and benefiting from the network.
PROFILE OF ACCUSED PERSONS: Sunny – 19 Years R/o: Indra Camp, near Mother Dairy, Trilokpuri, Delhi Education: Class 9th Pass, Previous occupation: Patient-care / Gig work , Zaid – 26 Years R/o: Aminabad, PO Naheda, District Mewat, Haryana – 122508 Occupation: Fish farming / Dairy work, Ghani Khan – 31 Years R/o: Daulatpur, Tehsil Govardhan, District Mathura, Uttar Pradesh Occupation: JCB Operator
RECOVERY: One Redmi 15C 5G mobile phone recovered from accused Sunny. One mobile phone recovered from accused Zaid. One mobile phone recovered from accused Ghani Khan.One Maruti Suzuki Brezza, White, bearing registration No. HR52K****.The recovered mobile phones are being examined for relevant chats, contacts, digital transactions, account-related material and further linkages with other members of the suspected cyber-fraud network.
