In a significant development under Operation Cyber Sangram, the Alwar Police successfully arrested the alleged mastermind behind a large-scale cyber fraud racket that handled illegal transactions amounting to nearly Rs 20 crore through mule accounts. The investigation began when authorities received a tip-off regarding a suspicious bank account suspected of being linked to cyber fraud activities.
As the inquiry deepened, the name of Barkat Ali surfaced as the key operator of the network. Investigators discovered that Ali possessed multiple identity documents registered under different addresses, which he had cleverly used to open numerous bank accounts. These accounts were not intended for legitimate use but were instead created to facilitate fraudulent transactions and shield cybercriminals from detection.
A dedicated team, led by Vaishali Nagar SHO Gurudutt Saini, raided Ali’s rented residence and detained him. The search operation revealed a large cache of incriminating materials, including 17 checkbooks, 14 ATM cards, five bank passbooks, several pre-signed checks, three Aadhaar cards, two PAN cards, two swipe machines, and two QR code scanners. These items served as clear evidence of the scale of the network Ali was operating.
Preliminary findings indicated that the bank accounts linked to Barkat Ali were associated with at least 32 different cyber fraud complaints lodged in states across India. Together, these cases accounted for a staggering amount of more than Rs 19 crore. Police officials further revealed that Ali was not working alone but was leading an organised gang that specialized in creating and supplying mule accounts to cybercriminals. These accounts were then used to collect, route, and withdraw money obtained through various online scams, with the gang charging a commission for their services.
Authorities suspect that the network’s operations were not confined to Rajasthan alone but extended into several other states, pointing to a well-organised and far-reaching racket. Efforts are now underway to identify and apprehend other members of the group who are believed to have played crucial roles in the scheme.
Police officials confirmed that additional arrests are expected in the coming days as part of their mission to dismantle organised cybercrime networks. The breakthrough is being seen as a critical step in curbing the rise of financial crimes that exploit loopholes in banking systems and misuse of digital identities.
