Srinagar, Apr 6 (KNS): Srinagar Police have uncovered a massive cyber fraud network involving 7,200 mule bank accounts and arrested 21 individuals in connection with the case.
The development was revealed during a press conference held in Srinagar by SSP Srinagar Imtiaz Hussain, SP Cyber Iftikhar Talib, and DSP Sleet Shah.
According to SSP Srinagar Imtiaz Hussain, the Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone has unearthed a sophisticated racket centered around mule accounts—bank accounts used to receive and transfer illicit funds on behalf of fraudsters.
“These accounts have become critical tools in executing large-scale cyber and financial frauds,” he said.
Hussain stated that these accounts, often created using credentials of individuals from weaker economic backgrounds, were identified across the Valley. Fraudsters used platforms like Telegram and Facebook to scout for such accounts, which were then remotely operated by cyber criminals based outside Jammu & Kashmir and even from foreign countries.
“These accounts were integrated into fake investment websites, betting and gambling portals, and fraudulent trading platforms.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe illicit money collected was layered and converted into cryptocurrency to hide the trail,” he added.
SSP Srinagar said that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (i4C), MHA, New Delhi, shared a list of 7,200 such accounts created since January 2025 in Kashmir. “We believe the number is likely to rise as the investigation progresses,” he noted.
So far, four FIRs have been registered and further legal action is underway. Preventive security action has been taken against 21 individuals, with 19 belonging to Srinagar district.
Hotspots for these mule accounts include areas like Natipora, Nowgam, Bemina, Khanyar, Soura, Qamarwari, and more, while similar activities have been detected in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag, and Shopian.
SSP Imtiaz Hussain strongly advised citizens not to sell or rent their bank accounts or registration documents. “Those involved will face serious legal consequences under laws dealing with organized cybercrime,” he warned.
He further urged the public to report suspicious cyber activities via the helpline 1930 or the website www.cybercrime.gov.in. (KNS)