'It's not about individuals operating the mule accounts being more or less skilled. Instead, 'lower-level' refers to the role the individual account plays in the broader mule network.'
An Indian national, Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, has been arrested and charged in the US for his alleged role as a "money mule" in a multi-million-dollar internet and telephone fraud scheme targeting elderly victims. Goswami, a Gujarat native, was detained in Canada while attempting to flee to Qatar, facing charges including wire fraud and money laundering.
A sophisticated cross-bank syndicate is systematically defrauding non-resident Indians (NRIs) and elderly citizens by exploiting their fixed deposits through forged documents and fictitious loans, often involving colluding bank employees and real estate deals.
Bank fraud is no longer just an external cyber threat -- insiders with legitimate access can exploit banking systems, trusted credentials and institutional blind spots to quietly siphon money.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has expanded the 1600-number series to include utilities, courier, and logistics companies, introducing the new 1601 series to help consumers identify legitimate calls and prevent widespread fraud and impersonation.
The Supreme Court has directed the Reserve Bank of India to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) within four weeks to deal with bank accounts linked to cyber frauds, including mule accounts. This directive is part of a broader effort to strengthen responses to cyber-enabled financial frauds, with the court also urging states and UTs to adopt and operationalise grievance redressal and money restoration modules.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a large-scale network involved in fraudulently importing South-East Asian areca nuts into India. The syndicate falsely declared the nuts as Bangladeshi origin to evade customs duty, leading to a potential revenue loss of over Rs 2,500 crore. Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the scam.
A stolen mobile phone belonging to an 88-year-old man has helped the Delhi police unearth an interstate cyber-fraud syndicate allegedly operating through a three-stage network spread across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, an officer said on Monday.
India's markets regulator, Sebi, has issued a warning to listed companies and regulated entities about an emerging cyber fraud known as the "Boss Scam." This scam involves fraudsters impersonating senior officials like CEOs or MDs to trick finance teams into transferring funds, often using advanced AI tools or malicious software. Sebi advises organisations to verify requests independently and report incidents to prevent financial losses.
Customers must report the fraud both to their bank and to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or Helpline 1930 within five calendar days of the occurrence of the fraudulent transaction.
The highest number of frauds was reported under the card, Internet, and digital payments categories in FY24 and FY25. 'Advances' accounted for the largest share (85.5 per cent) in FY26.
The US Department of Labour's Office of the Inspector General has initiated an investigation into alleged fraud in H-1B and PERM work visa programmes. Indian IT firm Cognizant is among the companies under scrutiny for widespread schemes involving fraudulent applications, exploitation of foreign workers, and undercutting American labour. The probe aims to dismantle networks exploiting the guest worker visa system.
Phishing sites mimicked SBI, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank to steal card details and OTPs.
Three alleged cyber fraudsters, including the mastermind, have been arrested in Gorakhpur for operating a fake merchant QR code racket. They used forged documents and mule accounts to channel money from cyber crimes, with transactions worth crores of rupees linked to cases across several states.
Delhi Police successfully thwarted an ATM fraud attempt in Dwarka, arresting two individuals from Nuh, Haryana. The accused used a steel plate to trap cash in ATM machines, making customers believe transactions failed, and later collected the money. They have confessed to multiple similar incidents.
Former India cricketer Rajesh Chauhan has been booked for allegedly cheating a man of over Rs 15 lakh by promising a transport contract with a steel company, a case registered on court orders under Section 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
Kerala Police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar highlighted cyber fraud as a serious social challenge, particularly targeting youth, during the inauguration of 'RBI Reelathon 2026'. This multi-phase awareness campaign by the Reserve Bank of India aims to engage college students in combating cyber financial frauds through creative content creation and timely reporting.
Delhi Police have arrested two men in Jaipur, busting a mule account syndicate that allegedly routed proceeds from cyber frauds through multiple bank accounts. The investigation began after a Delhi resident lost Rs 1.91 lakh, leading to the discovery of a sophisticated money-laundering operation involving loan repayments.
Gujarat's Gir Somnath police have busted a massive cyber fraud racket involving over Rs 310 crore in suspicious transactions through mule bank accounts, arresting five individuals. This operation, part of the state-wide "Operation Mule Hunt 2.0," is considered the district's largest cybercrime case to date, aiming to recover victims' money and curb illegal account rentals.
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has uncovered a Rs 1.5 crore WhatsApp fraud, leading to the arrest of two key SIM and OTP suppliers in West Bengal. The investigation revealed a sophisticated international cybercrime network spanning China, Pakistan, India, and Hong Kong, operating a "boss scam" and utilizing a "Cybercrime as a Service" model. Police recovered a significant portion of the defrauded amount and secured thousands of devices.
A data breach does not end when the headlines fade. For victims, stolen personal information can fuel fraud, identity theft and financial losses for years.
A 52-year-old labourer, Santosh Kumar Gupta, has been arrested in New Delhi for allegedly facilitating an online investment fraud by lending his bank account to route Rs 5 lakh of defrauded money. He is suspected of acting as an India-based facilitator for an international cyber fraud network.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has formally requested the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to permanently retain Aadhaar update histories related to date-of-birth changes and to restrict such modifications after a significant period. This move is part of WFI's intensified crackdown on age fraud in wrestling, which has seen numerous disqualifications and suspensions, aiming to ensure fair play and transparency in age-group competitions.
Patan Police have busted a large-scale cyber fraud racket, arresting 14 individuals involved in illegal transactions worth Rs 398.43 crore through 13 'mule accounts'. The operation, dubbed "Operation Mule Hunt 2.0", uncovered a network linked to 228 inter-state cyber fraud complaints, where individuals were lured to open bank accounts used to channel proceeds of cyber crimes.
Assam Police have arrested a cyber fraudster suspected of involvement in multi-state digital crimes. The arrest was made by the Crime Investigation Department's Cyber Police Station, and the suspect is believed to have operated a highly active mule account.
Over 700 doctors in Telangana have collectively lost nearly Rs 30 crore to various cyber frauds since September 2024, prompting the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau to hold an awareness meeting for healthcare professionals. Business and investment frauds accounted for the largest share of losses.
Delhi Police have dismantled an interstate cyber fraud syndicate, arresting three key operatives involved in siphoning off money through unauthorised banking transactions. The police successfully froze approximately Rs 4 lakh of the Rs 4.82 lakh stolen from a victim's account and recovered numerous debit cards, SIM cards, and mobile phones used in the operation.
Delhi Police dismantled an interstate cyber fraud network involved in routing illicit funds through bank account kits, SIM cards, and ATM credentials, leading to the arrest of three key individuals from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Cyber Police have arrested Abdu Rahman in Delhi, a key accused in a Cambodia-based online fraud network. This syndicate, which initially used online trading and loan scams, shifted to matrimonial platforms to defraud Indian citizens, including a Kochi doctor who lost Rs 37 lakh. The network recruits Indians to work in scam centres in Cambodia and has been responsible for numerous online frauds.
The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth approximately Rs 112.90 crore, including a residential property in Texas, USA, in a money-laundering case. The case involves a Noida-based air-conditioner components manufacturer, LEEL Electricals Limited, and its promoters, accused of defrauding a consortium of banks led by SBI of Rs 376 crore through manipulated financial statements and siphoning off funds.
Police in Meerut have arrested two individuals for allegedly running a fake Common Service Centre (CSC) to open fraudulent bank accounts using forged documents of unsuspecting, needy people. The accused used these accounts for online financial frauds, leading to the recovery of numerous fake IDs, bank cards, and other incriminating evidence.
Gurugram police have dismantled a cyber fraud operation run from a call centre in Ghaziabad, arresting three individuals accused of defrauding people of significant sums through deceptive insurance and government bond investment schemes.
The Delhi government has notified detailed guidelines for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, outlining strict provisions for beneficiaries found ineligible, including discontinuation of financial assistance, recovery of disbursed funds, and potential fraud charges. The scheme provides Rs 2,500 monthly to eligible women, with specific rules for fund disbursement via RD/FD accounts and CBDC wallets, along with clear eligibility and exclusion criteria.
A CISF constable in Mumbai became a victim of cyber fraud when his mobile phone was allegedly hacked, leading to Rs 95,668 being siphoned from his bank account. Police have registered an FIR and are investigating the incident, which involved the phone resetting and apps deleting automatically before the unauthorised transaction.
Delhi Police dismantled multiple interstate cyber fraud syndicates in a month-long operation, arresting 35 and bringing 89 offenders to justice. The syndicates were involved in various scams, including digital arrest, investment fraud, and fake dating schemes, with transactions worth nearly Rs 40 crore.
Delhi Police have arrested two individuals from Haryana for their alleged involvement in facilitating cyber fraud through mule bank accounts. The arrests were made during an investigation into an online investment scam that defrauded a senior citizen of over Rs 1.69 lakh.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police has arrested another person from Bhubaneswar for his alleged involvement in a bank loan fraud case worth Rs 6.88 crore.
Gujarat police have uncovered cyber frauds worth Rs 2,289 crore and arrested 638 individuals as part of 'Operation Mule Account 1.0', a state-wide crackdown on online criminals launched in 2025.
Bhubaneswar police have busted a fraudulent digital escort service racket, arresting four individuals for allegedly misusing women's photographs on social media and cheating customers through online payments. The investigation, initiated by a woman's complaint, led to the seizure of digital evidence and a public advisory against such scams.
Odisha Police's Crime Branch has arrested three individuals from New Delhi and Uttarakhand in connection with two major cyber fraud cases totalling Rs 2.78 crore. The cases involved impersonation as cyber crime officers and fraudulent investment schemes, leading to significant financial losses for victims.
