Himachal Police Cracks Down on ‘Mule Accounts’ to Combat Rising Cyber Fraud
As cybercrime cases continue to rise, the Himachal Pradesh Police have launched a statewide drive to identify and verify suspicious bank accounts that may be being used by fraudsters for illegal financial transactions.
These accounts, commonly known as “mule accounts,” are often used by cybercriminals to receive or transfer money obtained through online scams. In many cases, account holders may be unaware that their bank accounts are being misused for fraudulent activities.
As part of the verification exercise, the cyber cell will closely examine the KYC details of account holders, transaction patterns and the nature of financial activities linked to suspicious accounts. The objective is to trace accounts being used as conduits for cyber fraud and dismantle networks of digital scammers.
Officials have warned that accounts found to be involved in such activities could be frozen after investigation. Legal action may also be initiated, including the registration of FIRs against account holders if wrongdoing is established.
The police have urged citizens to regularly monitor their bank accounts and immediately report any suspicious or unauthorized transactions. They also advised people never to share sensitive information such as OTPs, passwords, banking credentials, contact details or other personal data with unknown individuals.
Reinforcing the importance of quick reporting, the cyber cell has asked victims of online fraud to contact the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, without delay. According to officials, reporting a cybercrime within the first three hours significantly improves the chances of recovering lost money and tracking down those responsible.
With cyber fraud becoming increasingly sophisticated, the police are encouraging people to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard their financial information. The ongoing verification drive is part of a broader effort to strengthen cyber security and protect citizens from digital scams.
