Operation Mule Hunt: 152 arrested as Pune Police target cyber fraud money trail
Pune, Aug 1
In a major crackdown on the financial networks supporting cybercrime, Pune Police have arrested 152 accused and registered cases against 132 mule account holders under the ongoing 'Operation Mule Hunt' campaign. The drive is being carried out jointly by Pune Police and Maharashtra Cyber to dismantle the banking channels used by cyber fraudsters to move and conceal illegally obtained funds.
According to police officials, cybercriminals use mule bank accounts to transfer and launder money collected through online frauds. The campaign aims to identify and disrupt these financial networks, thereby curbing cybercrime at its roots.
Police said action is currently underway on 1,705 notices received from other states through the Coordination Portal. At the same time, Pune Police have issued 2,099 notices to mule account holders in other states. During the investigation, accused persons have been arrested from Pune, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and several other states, while charge sheets have already been filed in multiple cases.
Investigators are conducting detailed examinations of bank transactions, mobile call records, digital payment trails and other technical evidence linked to cybercrime operations.
Officials warned that individuals who knowingly provide their bank accounts, ATM cards, SIM cards or other documents to cybercriminals in exchange for money or other benefits will also face legal action as co-accused.
Pune Police have urged citizens not to share their bank account details, ATM cards, cheque books, net banking credentials, OTPs, SIM cards, mobile numbers, email IDs, Aadhaar or PAN information with unknown persons. The police also appealed to the public to immediately report anyone assisting cybercriminals to the nearest police station or cyber police unit.
As part of its preventive efforts, Pune Police said it has conducted 1,142 cyber awareness programmes across the city in 2026, reaching nearly 300,000 people with cyber safety messages. Moreover, under the 'Campus Connect Safe Horizon' initiative, awareness campaigns are being organised in schools, colleges, IT companies, housing societies and government offices to strengthen public awareness against cyber fraud.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but 152 arrests from an operation targeting the *financial backbone* of cybercrime seems low. Especially when Pune alone received 2,099+1705 notices. Are they arresting the small fish while the actual kingpins sit abroad? Need more focus on international money laundering routes too.
This is a great step toward global cybersecurity collaboration. I work in fintech in the US, and mule accounts are a $300 billion problem worldwide. It's impressive that Pune Police are tracking digital payment trails so meticulously. Maybe we should adopt this 'Campus Connect' awareness model back home.
Yaar, these fraudsters are getting smarter by the day. My neighbour's son was offered ₹5,000 just to provide his account for a day. Luckily, he refused, but many college kids don't realize the legal trouble they'll be in. More awareness campaigns in Hindi and Marathi are needed, not just English.
Respect to the cyber cell for hitting 300k people with awareness programs. But I'm curious—how many of these 152 arrests have actually led to recovered money for the victims? Arresting scammers is good, but restitution isn't happening. The courts should fast-track these cases for asset seizure to return money to the elderly who lose their savings.
Impressive coordination! I read about 'Operation Mule Hunt' on an international cybersecurity forum, and it's getting attention as a model for other nations. The quick action on 1,705 inter-state notices shows great teamwork between Pune and Maharashtra Cyber. Keep up the pressure! 💪
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