Lucknow: Central Zone police of the Lucknow Police Commissionerate have busted a cyber mule account network allegedly used to launder proceeds of online fraud, arresting three people and seizing a large cache of bank documents, ATM cards and mobile phones used in the operation.Police said the accused opened and operated mule bank accounts using forged addresses and mobile numbers linked to manipulated Aadhaar details. These accounts were used to receive money siphoned off through cyber fraud. The funds were then quickly withdrawn in cash and routed onward after commissions were deducted. Investigators have frozen around ₹5 lakh found in the mule accounts during the probe.The arrested accused were identified as Varun Kant Sharma, 30, a native of Badaun district currently living in Vrindavan Colony under PGI police station limits; Prem Kumar alias Vimal, originally from Farrukhabad district and presently residing in Hans Nagar Colony under Para police station; and a woman whose identity has not been disclosed by police.DCP, East Zone, Vikrant Vir said the group allegedly lured unemployed persons from nearby towns and villages with promises of jobs, persuaded them to open accounts in different banks, and then took possession of ATM cards, passbooks, cheque books, SIM cards, internet banking credentials and other sensitive banking details.Investigators said the account information was shared via Telegram with two suspected handlers, identified as Amit and Dinesh Singh, who allegedly forwarded the details to Chinese cyber fraud operators. Police said once fraud proceeds were credited into the mule accounts, the accused withdrew the money using ATM cards and cheque books and handed over the cash to the handlers.According to police, Amit and Dinesh Singh allegedly converted the cash into USDT (Tether) cryptocurrency and routed it to Chinese nationals. Efforts are underway to trace the absconding handlers and verify the syndicate’s interstate and international links.During interrogation, Sharma told police he was recruited by Prem Kumar on the pretext of employment and was paid a commission for withdrawing and delivering cash, earning about ₹40,000-₹45,000 per month.
