Lucknow: What appeared to be ordinary bank accounts in the name of a Lucknow resident allegedly served as a financial conduit for cyber fraud worth over ₹15 crore, spread across 49 complaints registered in different states, police said after arresting Saurabh Kalra under ongoing anti-cybercrime drive Operation Cy-Vajra.Kalra, a resident of BBD area, was arrested by a joint team of the east zone cyber cell and the cyber help desk of BBD police station following analysis of suspected mule accounts flagged by the cyber crime headquarters.DCP, east, Deeksha Sharma said that Kalra allowed cyber fraudsters to use not only his own bank accounts but also those belonging to his family members in exchange for a commission. Fraud proceeds from victims across the country were deposited into these accounts, after which he allegedly retained 10% of the money before transferring the remaining amount through cash withdrawals or other channels as directed by the operators.“Kalra was in contact with overseas handlers through WhatsApp calls originating from mobile numbers registered in the Philippines,” , said Sharma.The investigation revealed that 32 cyber complaints were linked to his IndusInd Bank account and 17 complaints to his Bank of Baroda account. The two accounts were connected to cyber fraud amounting to approximately ₹15.06 crore.During searches, police recovered three laptops, five mobile phones, an IndusInd Bank EDC machine, three pen drives, banking documents, ATM cards, cheque books, identity documents and ₹15,000 in cash.
