₹24-Crore Cyber Fraud Unearthed in Surat; 77 Held During Operation Mule Hunt 2.0

Surat: Surat City Police intensified their crackdown on cybercrime through “Operation Mule Hunt 2.0,” targeting networks that rent out bank accounts used to channel proceeds of online fraud. During the three-day drive from Sunday to Tuesday, police registered 58 cases and arrested 77 persons linked to mule accounts and cyber fraud.

Investigators said the cases involved fraud worth nearly ₹24 crore, but only about ₹1 crore could be frozen, highlighting the speed at which cybercriminals move funds through layered transactions and multiple bank accounts.

Police found that many mule accounts belonged to economically vulnerable individuals who allegedly provided access to their bank accounts in exchange for commissions, allowing fraudsters to receive and transfer illicit funds while concealing their identities.

City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut said the operation was launched a month ago following a similar drive conducted six months earlier. Police scrutinised complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), gathered intelligence on suspicious accounts, and identified operators behind them.

To strengthen the probe, police coordinated with banks, fintech firms, and telecom companies, while around 500 personnel were trained in cyber and financial investigations. A total of 50 teams were deployed across the country, leading to arrests in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and other states.

According to Gahlaut, nearly 60% of the cases involved investment fraud, with most of the stolen money already transferred through the network before authorities could freeze the funds. DeshGujarat