Punjab State Cyber Crime Wing Smashes International Mule Account Racket; Three Arrested for Money Laundering
CHANDIGARH, March 20, 2026 – In a significant crackdown on organized digital financial crime, the State Cyber Crime Wing of the Punjab Police has dismantled a sophisticated “mule account” syndicate linked to overseas handlers.
The operation resulted in the arrest of three individuals accused of facilitating the routing of fraudulent funds through a complex web of shell companies and forged documentation.
According to official reports, the suspects operated by establishing fake business entities to open bank accounts using falsified KYC documents.
These accounts served as “mules” to launder money stolen through various cyber scams, with the accused earning substantial commissions for their role in the illicit pipeline over the past two years.
The scale of the operation was revealed through a series of high-value recoveries during the raid. Authorities successfully froze ₹20 lakh held in various bank accounts and seized 5,100 USDT in cryptocurrency, highlighting the digital nature of the laundering process.
In addition to the financial assets, police confiscated 23 ATM cards, 2 laptops, 7 mobile phones, 5 SIM cards, 14 cheque books, and various stamps and forged documents used to bypass banking security protocols.
An FIR has been formally registered at the State Cyber Crime Police Station, and a deeper investigation is currently underway to trace the wider international linkages and identify the foreign masterminds behind the racket.
The Punjab Police has reaffirmed its commitment to securing the digital landscape and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against cybercriminals.