Jammu and Kashmir Police identifies 7,200 mule accounts; arrests 21

Jammu and Kashmir Police has identified 7,200 mule accounts, which remain active for a few days and crores of rupees are funnelled through these channels.

Srinagar SSP Imtiyaz Hussain has registered four FIRs in connection with these accounts and arrested 21 people till now. According to officials, areas in Srinagar and Jammu districts are emerging as hotspots for such cyber frauds.

"Since 1st January 2025, 7,200 mule accounts have been opened here and the money from online gaming, identity theft, phishing activity or any other cyber fraud is funnelled through these accounts," he said.


Hussain informed that these mule accounts are primary accounts in the banks, which are opened for a few days to park the cyber fraud money briefly - from a few minutes to a few days - before being transferred to the account of the actual fraudster.

"Mule account holders are given a commission to open an account for a few days. We have registered four FIRs till now and arrested 21 people, out of which 19 are from Srinagar," said Hussain, adding, "Whosoever has received this money or commission from cyber frauds will have to face serious legal consequences, including a minimum sentence of 10 years."

Hussain said that the accounts were unearthed with the support of the cybercrime coordination centre of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"Since numbers are huge, we will examine each and every account holder, besides bringing in all of them for interrogation. They will be made part of the investigation. We will ensure that the accused gets the maximum sentence," said Hussain.

The probe till now has revealed that the money funnelled through these accounts is converted into crypto currency.