A mule account network allegedly used to route money obtained through cyber fraud has been uncovered during an investigation by Khar police, with 22 bank accounts linked to 42 complaints registered across the country involving approximately Rs 7.42 crore.
The investigation began in connection with a case registered at Khar Police Station under Crime Register No. 183/2026 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the Information Technology Act.
Complainant allegedly lost Rs 4.07 lakh in online task scam
According to police, the complainant was contacted through Telegram and offered high returns for completing online tasks. The accused allegedly persuaded the complainant to deposit a total of Rs 4,07,764 into different bank accounts on multiple occasions.
The complainant did not receive the promised returns and was subsequently found to have been defrauded.
During the investigation, police used technical analysis, along with information obtained through the Government of India’s cyber helpline 1930 and the cyber coordination portal, to identify the alleged involvement of Avinash Babasaheb Kharat and Vikas Gajanan Bhujbal.
Kharat was arrested in connection with the case.
Police trace 22 bank accounts
During questioning, police found that the accused had allegedly opened bank accounts in their own names as well as in the names of other individuals and provided them for use by cyber fraudsters.
Investigators traced 22 bank accounts linked to the two accused. Of these, 13 were in the name of Kharat and nine were in the name of Bhujbal.
A check of the accounts through the cyber coordination portal found 42 complaints from different parts of the country linked to the 22 accounts.
The complaints involved a total amount of approximately Rs 7,42,28,409, or Rs 7.42 crore. Police also found that substantial amounts allegedly obtained through cyber fraud had been routed through various accounts linked to the accused.
Probe continues into wider network
Khar police are continuing their investigation to identify other alleged members and beneficiaries of the network and to trace the financial transactions associated with the accounts.
The investigation is being conducted by a team comprising Senior Police Inspector Santosh Kate, Police Inspector Dipali Marale, Police Sub-Inspectors Vijay Said and Govind Bedke, Police Head Constable Nagesh Patil, and Police Constables Rupali Mote and Ganesh Lote.
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