Patan Police Dismantle Cyber Fraud Network, Arrest 14 in Operation Mule Hunt 2.0

PATAN, India (June 8, 2026) — Police in Patan district, Gujarat, dismantled a cyber fraud racket on Monday, arresting 14 individuals and seizing 13 bank accounts used to channel illegal proceeds in an operation dubbed Mule Hunt 2.0.

The Patan Police force executed the crackdown to curb online frauds and disrupt the financial networks of cyber criminals. The operation targeted mule accounts, which are bank accounts used by fraudsters to launder money and move illicit funds through the banking system. Authorities registered 20 people as accused in the case, including 13 account holders and seven middlemen who facilitated the transactions.

The arrests were made following an investigation into a network that utilized these accounts to process illegal transactions. Police seized the 13 mule accounts as part of the operation, aiming to cut off the flow of funds generated by cyber crimes. The operation marks a significant step in the region's efforts to combat digital fraud.

The 14 arrested individuals include both the owners of the bank accounts and intermediaries who helped manage the illicit financial activities. Police stated that the operation was designed to target the infrastructure supporting cyber criminals, rather than just the end users of the fraud. By seizing the accounts and arresting the key players, authorities aim to disrupt the broader network of financial crime.

The crackdown comes as part of a wider effort to address the rising tide of online fraud in the region. Cyber criminals have increasingly relied on mule accounts to move money quickly and evade detection. The Patan Police operation seeks to dismantle these networks by targeting the accounts and the people who manage them.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the total value of the transactions processed through the seized accounts or the specific types of fraud involved. The investigation is ongoing, and police have indicated that further arrests may be made as they trace the flow of funds and identify other participants in the network.

The operation highlights the growing sophistication of cyber fraud networks and the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking illicit financial activities. As digital transactions become more common, the use of mule accounts has become a critical tool for criminals to launder money and evade detection.

Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activities. The crackdown on the cyber fraud racket in Patan is expected to serve as a warning to other criminal networks operating in the region.

The case remains under investigation, with authorities working to trace the full extent of the network and identify any remaining participants. Further developments are expected as the investigation continues.