The Dongri Police cyber squad has uncovered an alleged interstate network involved in arranging “mule” bank accounts for transactions linked to cyber fraud. Three men have been arrested, while five other suspects are being traced as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to police, the network allegedly targeted financially vulnerable people by offering them small monetary incentives to open bank accounts in their own names. After the accounts were opened, the accused allegedly took possession of the account holders’ passbooks, debit cards, cheque books and SIM cards and used the accounts for financial transactions connected with cybercrime.
🔸Interstate Cyber Racket Busted!
— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 20, 2026
The cyber team of @DongriPS busted an interstate network supplying ‘mule’ bank accounts for cyber fraud disguised as online gaming, cricket betting and casino activities.
Three accused have been arrested, while five others have been identified… pic.twitter.com/gpUbHzDG36
The investigation has extended to several locations, including Govandi, Mankhurd and Dongri in Mumbai, Belapur and Panvel in Navi Mumbai, and Osmanabad.
Acting on confidential information, the Dongri Police cyber squad conducted an operation near Sandhurst Road Railway Station on Dr Maheshwari Road, Dongri, and arrested three alleged members of the network.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
Police have identified five more suspects who are currently wanted in connection with the case. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest them.
Three women allegedly associated with the case—Jyoti Patil, Jaya Dongre and Nisha Dongre, all residents of Lallubhai Compound in Mankhurd—have been issued notices under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and have been asked to cooperate with the investigation.
During the investigation, police identified 110 bank accounts allegedly connected to the network. Information relating to 17 of these accounts has been obtained from the respective banks.
After examining transaction records, technical data and cybercrime complaints, investigators found that 17 accounts were linked to 38 cybercrime cases or complaints registered in different parts of the country.
The cases have been reported from:
The findings have expanded the Dongri Police investigation from Mumbai to multiple states across India.
Preliminary investigation has revealed a financial turnover of approximately ₹125.45 crore through the 17 bank accounts examined so far. The transactions took place over a period of around one and a half to two months.
Police are now conducting a detailed financial investigation to determine the source of the funds, the nature and route of the transactions, beneficiary accounts and the individuals involved. Investigators are also examining possible links between these transactions and cybercrime cases.
The remaining 93 accounts are being examined, and police suspect that further analysis could reveal additional suspicious transactions, cybercrime complaints and individuals connected to the network.
Police have seized several banking and electronic items allegedly linked to the operation. The seizure includes:
The total estimated value of the seized items is around ₹50 lakh.
Technical analysis of the mobile phones, laptops and other digital devices is currently underway. Police expect the examination to provide further information about the network, financial transactions and other people potentially involved.
According to police, the operation involved confidential intelligence gathering, technical investigation, analysis of banking transactions, examination of digital evidence and coordinated field action.
The investigation has helped authorities trace the movement of funds through suspected mule accounts and identify possible connections between cybercrime complaints registered in different states.
The probe remains ongoing, with investigators focusing on the remaining bank accounts, digital evidence, financial transactions and the five wanted suspects.
Police have appealed to citizens not to allow anyone else to use their bank accounts or banking credentials in exchange for money.
People should never hand over their bank accounts, passbooks, debit cards, cheque books, SIM cards, mobile phones, OTPs, PINs or internet banking credentials to another person.
Citizens who notice any unknown or suspicious transaction in their bank account should immediately contact their bank and report the matter to the police.
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