Gujarat police bust Rs 77 crore cyber fraud network linked to 375 cases

Police in Gujarat have uncovered a Rs 77 crore cyber fraud network linked to 375 cybercrime complaints registered on the national 1930 portal , exposing a large-scale mule account and money laundering racket operating across India.

A total of 16 accused arrested , including nine from Goa, five from Vadodara, and two from Palanpur, were found running a coordinated system supplying bank accounts, SIM cards, cheque books, and digital credentials to cybercrime networks.

Officials said the syndicate was involved in multiple scam categories, including digital arrest fraud, UPI scams, investment fraud, loan scams, part-time job fraud, and gaming-related fraud , significantly widening the scope of the operation.

Investigators revealed that the accused operated a mule bank account infrastructure , where accounts were opened in their own or others’ names and handed over to cybercriminals for layering and routing illicit funds. The network also created three shell companies to provide a façade of legitimacy for financial transactions.

CID Crime Cyber Centre of Excellence officials confirmed that over 260 bank account details were recovered from seized mobile phones and laptops. Technical analysis also revealed WhatsApp and Telegram communication with Dubai-based handlers , indicating possible international coordination.

During raids, police seized 15 laptops, 85 mobile phones, 126 SIM cards, 115 debit cards, 82 passbooks, and financial documents , along with transaction records and fraud-related data.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing to trace additional beneficiaries, fund flows, and overseas operators linked to the wider cybercrime ecosystem.