Ahmedabad, August 8: The Surat Cyber Crime Cell has arrested two alleged money mule operators from Jharkhand in connection with a cyber fraud case involving ₹10.65 lakh. Investigators identified suspicious transactions exceeding ₹65 lakh in bank accounts purportedly used to transfer the cyber crime proceeds.
These arrests followed a four-day operation in Giridih district, located approximately 1,800 kilometers from Surat. Through technical analysis and financial investigations, police uncovered an interstate network.
The case relates to a complaint filed on November 2 last year, when an unknown fraudster gained unauthorized access to the complainant’s ICICI Bank account between 11 AM and 12 PM. The victim inadvertently installed a malicious APK file received via WhatsApp or SMS, allowing the fraudsters access to SMS messages, one-time passwords (OTPs), and banking information. This led to the transfer of ₹10,65,375.98 through multiple transactions.
A case has been registered under sections 318(4), 61(2), and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, and section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 at the Surat Cyber Crime Police Station.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Cell) Bishakha Jain stated that these arrests are a result of the police’s ‘Operation Mule Hunt,’ initiated in December last year. Jain explained that the victim received an APK file via WhatsApp and SMS in November 2025. After installing the APK, the victim’s phone was hacked, resulting in the withdrawal of ₹10.65 lakh from their account. During Operation Mule Hunt, police arrested Rajeshwar Swain and Ziaur Rahman. Interrogation and technical analysis revealed that these money mules were located in Jharkhand, about 1,800 kilometers away.
Jain further noted that their teams operated for nearly four days, utilizing human intelligence with the assistance of local police and personnel from two police stations. Both accused were apprehended. Although the fraud amount was ₹10.65 lakh, investigations into their bank accounts revealed transactions amounting to approximately ₹75 lakh.
The arrested individuals have been identified as 29-year-old Roopalal Mandal and 31-year-old Mukesh Mandal, residents of Giridih district in Jharkhand. According to police, Roopalal Mandal had opened two bank accounts in his name and allegedly provided bank kits, ATM cards, and account information to the absconding accused.
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