In a major breakthrough, Visakhapatnam Police have uncovered an extensive money laundering and cybercrime operation involving mule bank accounts. The scam, which spanned across multiple countries such as China and Taiwan, facilitated the illegal transfer of large sums of money through bank accounts rented out for fraudulent activities.
The investigation revealed that Surya Mohan, a car driver from Visakhapatnam, became unknowingly entangled in this global crime network. After being introduced to the fraudulent gang by acquaintances in China, Mohan began assisting locals with financial difficulties, which later led him to become involved in the scheme.
The modus operandi of the criminals involved persuading individuals to rent out their bank accounts in exchange for substantial daily commissions. These accounts were flooded with large sums of money, which were then quickly transferred to various accounts and eventually routed into foreign accounts via illegal payment gateways.
In a shocking revelation, the authorities discovered that over Rs 8 crore were transferred through just two mule accounts in a span of four months. The illegal transactions were traced back to organised crime syndicates operating in Taiwan, China, and other countries. Local operatives in India played a key role in managing the mule accounts and coordinating the transfers.
As part of a nationwide operation, Andhra Pradesh Police, Gujarat Police, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) worked together to bust the fraud. Further investigations have uncovered the involvement of fake companies, individuals, and organisations that facilitated the money laundering activities.
The police are continuing their probe into the international syndicates involved and are working to track down the individuals coordinating these illegal operations. This operation highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and money laundering activities facilitated by mule accounts, and the authorities’ determination to dismantle such networks.
