Cyber Police Srinagar unveils major mule account racket in Kashmir valley; FIR registered

Srinagar : The Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar investigated a new modus operandi, where individuals are involved in setting up mule bank accounts. These accounts serve as channels for the receipt and transfer of unlawfully obtained funds on behalf of cyber fraudsters. Such activities are pivotal to organized fraud operations targeting vulnerable segments of the society, including homemakers, the economically disadvantaged, auto-rickshaw drivers, labourers, and local vendors.
In a statement issued from Zonal Police Headquarters Srinagar Police said that the funds, often acquired through online fraudulent means such as investment scams, online gaming apps, phishing or identity theft are discreetly shuffled between multiple accounts to evade detection. Perpetrators, operating from outside Jammu and Kashmir, lured potential victims through emails, chatrooms or social media, offering inducements in exchange for renting out their bank accounts. Once trapped, victims unknowingly help in illegal transactions through mule bank accounts, sending the money to the criminal’s main accounts.
Stating that while acting upon the matter, Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, has filed a case vide FIR No. 10/2024 under relevant legal provisions and initiated a comprehensive investigation.
Police said that subsequent inquiries have revealed numerous mule accounts operating in various Districts of Kashmir Zone, with transactions totalling crores of rupees. Four individuals from Srinagar city have been identified in orchestrating and managing these mule bank accounts, as well as enticing unsuspecting individuals to participate in these illegal activities. Consequently, these four accused persons identified as Sajad Ahmad Rah son of Mohammad Maqbool Rah residing at Chinar Colony Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar, Tawqair Ahmad Bhat son of Tariq Ahmad Bhat residing at Banpora Nowgam, Srinagar, Ubaid Ahmad Rah son of Mohammad Ayoub Rah residing at Hamdaniya Colony Bemina, Srinagar and Amir Rah son of Mohammad Maqbool Rah residing at Chinar Colony Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar have been arrested.
In the concluding para of the above quoted statement Cyber Police Kashmir urged the public to remain vigilant and guard against falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.