In a significant crackdown, the Indore Police have exposed a sophisticated interstate and international cybercrime network. This organized racket was systematically routing money obtained from various online frauds to companies based in China. The illicit funds were moved through a chain of 'mule' bank accounts opened by unsuspecting individuals.
How the Fraudulent Network Operated
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from Saloni Nandekar, a resident of Krishnabagh Colony. She was cheated of Rs 1.63 lakh under the pretext of high returns from a stock market investment. A case was subsequently registered at the Aerodrome Police Station under the relevant legal provisions.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishna Lalchandani explained that the network's modus operandi involved luring young people with promises of commission-based earnings. The accused would recruit individuals by offering them 'work from home' opportunities and easy money. These recruits were then persuaded to open new bank accounts or rent out their existing ones.
These accounts became crucial tools for the criminals. Money generated from a range of illegal activities—including cyber frauds, illegal online gaming, and fake investment schemes—was first deposited into these mule accounts. To avoid detection and tracing by authorities, the funds were swiftly converted into USDT (Tether) cryptocurrency. This digital currency was then transferred to entities linked to Chinese companies, effectively laundering the money across borders.
The Police Investigation and Arrests
Through a technical examination of bank transaction trails, police identified multiple interconnected accounts. Their first breakthrough came with the detention of Tofiq Rehmani, a resident of Noorani Nagar. Rehmani confessed to renting out his and his brother's bank accounts in exchange for a commission.
His information led to the arrest of Himanshu Verma, who police identified as the key operator of the network in the region. Further interrogation of Verma resulted in the arrests of his associates: Farhan, Jitendra Rawal, and Praveen Chauhan.
During the raids, police seized 15 ATM cards from different banks. All five arrested suspects were produced before a court, and police have obtained remand to investigate further. The remand will help authorities determine the total value of transactions processed, trace the international links more thoroughly, and uncover other individuals involved in the racket.
Police Warning and Public Advisory
The Indore Police have issued a stern warning to the public in the wake of this case. They have appealed to citizens, especially the youth, to be extremely cautious of online job offers that promise quick and easy earnings with minimal effort.
Authorities emphasized that individuals who allow their bank accounts to be used for such criminal activities can also face serious legal consequences. The police advised people to never share their bank account details, ATM cards, passbooks, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with anyone.
Citizens are urged to immediately report any suspicious calls, messages, or online offers to their nearest police station or the cyber crime helpline. Vigilance and prompt reporting are key to preventing such financial crimes.
