The Takedown: Inside "Operation Mule Hunt"
Intro: A high-impact intro covering the Rajkot Rural Police’s strategic strike and the arrests of the nine key operatives across Gujarat and Telangana.
In a masterclass of digital forensics and old-school detective work, the Rajkot Rural Police have just pulled the plug on one of India’s most expansive financial rackets. "Operation Mule Hunt" has successfully dismantled a multi-state network responsible for laundering a staggering ₹1,500 crore.
While we often think of cybercrime as a solo hacker in a basement, this bust reveals a corporate-level hierarchy that bridged the gap between digital fraud and traditional money laundering.
🖥️ Key details of the investigation include:
- Arrest Timeline: The first six suspects were arrested on February 13, 2026, followed by the arrest of three more individuals—Adiluddin Mohammed (Telangana), Mihir Rangani, and Hiren Limbasiya (both from Rajkot)—on February 25-26, 2026.
- Modus Operandi: The fraudsters opened 15 bank accounts in private banks, strategically operating them through Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) firms to exploit different GST and TDS compliance rules.
- Money Laundering: Funds were routed through mule accounts and then returned to the organizers via "angadia" (traditional courier) channels to obscure the money trail.
- Scope of Fraud: The network is linked to approximately 180 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Portal (1930) across various states.
- Asset Freezing: Authorities have successfully frozen ₹23.14 crore across various bank accounts associated with the accuse.
⚖️ The Highlights:
👉 9 individuals arrested (Gujarat & Telangana).
👉180+ cybercrime complaints linked.
👉 ₹23.14 CRORE frozen in bank accounts.
👉 15 sham firms dismantled.
The Shell Game: How They Moved the Money
The genius—and the downfall—of this syndicate lay in their exploitation of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) infrastructure. By setting up 15 different firms under the guise of agricultural trading, the fraudsters took advantage of specific GST and TDS exemptions to move massive volumes of cash without triggering immediate red flags.
The laundering cycle followed a calculated path:
- The Hook: Funds were siphoned from victims through gaming scams, fake investment schemes, and GST fraud.
- The Layering: The money was bounced through dozens of "mule accounts" to confuse digital auditors.
- The Exit: To completely sever the digital trail, the group used Angadias—India’s centuries-old traditional courier system—to ferry physical cash back to the kingpins.
The Scale of the Crackdown
The sheer volume of this operation is a wake-up call for national security. According to details shared by the Indian Express, the network is linked to over 180 formal complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
So far, the police have:
- Arrested 9 key players, including technical leads and financial recruiters from Telangana and Gujarat.
- Frozen ₹23.14 crore in active bank accounts, preventing further flight of capital.
- Identified 15 sham firms used specifically for laundering.
The Takeaway for Everyone
This bust, widely covered by NDTV, proves that cybercrime is no longer just about clicking a bad link. It is an industry that exploits legitimate business loopholes.
The best defense? Vigilance. Never allow your bank account to be used by "acquaintances" for transactions (a classic mule tactic) and always verify the GST credentials of new business entities.
If you have been targeted by a financial scam, don't wait—dial 1930 or visit the official Cyber Crime Portal immediately.
How to Spot a "Mule Account" Recruitment Scam
The ₹1,500 crore syndicate relied on "mules"—people who let criminals use their bank accounts to move dirty money. Often, these people don't even realize they are part of a crime until the police knock. Here’s how to stay safe:
- The "Work from Home" Trap: Beware of job offers that involve "receiving and transferring funds" or "processing payments" for a commission. Real companies don't use personal bank accounts for business.
- The APMC/Business Proxy: If someone asks to open a bank account in your name for their "new firm" or "agricultural business" because they hit a limit, it’s a massive red flag.
- Easy Money for No Work: If a "friend" or stranger offers you a cut of a transaction just for letting money sit in your account for an hour, you are being recruited as a mule.
- Pressure for KYC: Never hand over your PAN card, Aadhaar, or OTPs to anyone promising to "set up a trading account" for you.
Don't let your bank account become a tool for criminals. If a "job" or "friend" asks to move money through your account, it’s a trap! 🚫
Report fraud immediately: 📞 Call 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in
Disclaimer:
Educational Purposes Only: This blog post is for informational and educational purposes regarding cybercrime awareness. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided—based on official reports from the Rajkot Rural Police and major news outlets like The Indian Express and NDTV—it does not constitute legal or financial advice.
Legal Status: Under the Indian legal system, all individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation into the ₹1,500 crore network is ongoing, and further details may emerge as the case progresses.
Reporting Scams: If you suspect you are being targeted by a cyber-scam or have unknowingly been involved in a "money mule" operation, contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or register a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in immediately.
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