Maninagar police busts ‘money mule’ network, two booked for aiding online fraud

The Maninagar police have registered a case against two young men for allegedly facilitating cyber fraud by allowing their bank account to be used to receive and withdraw cheated funds, officials said on Thursday.

According to police, the accused allegedly acted as ‘money mules’, a method commonly used in cybercrime wherein fraudsters route illicit proceeds through third-party bank accounts in return for commission.

Police stated that during the scrutiny of suspicious bank accounts flagged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), investigators identified a Kotak Mahindra Bank account held by Mohammad Fardeen Mohammad Afzal Syed (21), a resident of Gomtipur.

An analysis of complaints registered on the NCCRP revealed that the account had received proceeds of cyber fraud reported from Tamil Nadu. The complaint detailed two disputed transactions of ₹50,000 each, credited on August 1, 2025, totalling ₹1 lakh.

When questioned, Syed allegedly told the police that he had known his friend Arbaaz Maniyar, also a resident of Gomtipur, for about five months. Maniyar reportedly persuaded him to allow the use of his bank account, claiming the money would be transferred from Uttar Pradesh and offering him a commission of one per cent. Acting on this assurance, Syed allegedly permitted the funds to be credited, withdrew the cash from an ATM, and handed it over to Maniyar.

Investigators said that although Syed did not directly cheat the victim, he knowingly allowed his bank account to be misused for criminal purposes and helped withdraw the fraudulently obtained money. Maniyar allegedly coordinated the transfer and collection of funds, thereby aiding and abetting the cyber fraud.

“Both accused assisted each other in laundering cyber-forged money and facilitating its illegal withdrawal, causing financial loss to the complainant and other victims,” a police officer said.

Based on the findings, the Maninagar Police have booked the accused under relevant provisions of the BNS, including sections for criminal conspiracy and failure to comply with statutory norms. Further investigation is underway to trace the main perpetrators of the cyber fraud and determine whether additional accounts were used.