Surat: Cyber Crime police arrested two men on Saturday for their alleged role in a cyberfraud network linked to Chinese cybercriminals operating through Dubai. Investigators said the accused managed mule bank accounts used to route part of the money swindled from victims across the country and found links to 338 complaints involving alleged fraud of Rs 410 crore.The arrested men were identified as Abdul Rehman Akukara, 23, a resident of Rander, and Mohsin alias Tunnu Khan, 38, a resident of Nanpura. Both were arrested near Civil Crossroads.The arrests stemmed from an investigation into a Rs 23.28 lakh fraud involving a city resident who was lured with promises of high returns on stock investments. According to police, the victim was persuaded to download a mobile application through which a stock trading account was created. The victim transferred Rs 23.28 lakh into the account but could not withdraw any funds.During the probe, police found that Akukara had set up a firm, Mansuri Digital Trading, in Khan’s name and used it to open current accounts at Central Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank and Axis Bank. Investigators also found 12 savings accounts opened across different banks.Analysis of bank transactions and data recovered from mobile phones pointed to a wider network. Police alleged that Akukara opened and operated mule accounts to receive cyberfraud proceeds in exchange for commissions.In one current account with Central Bank of India, investigators found transactions totalling Rs 1.19 crore between Aug 24 and Sep 19. The account was linked to 18 online complaints.Police recovered 12 mobile phones from Akukara’s residence. Officials found mobile banking applications of 13 banks, details of 30 debit cards, transaction records linked to 96 bank accounts and 11 email IDs. Seventeen debit cards issued in India and Lithuania, two chequebooks and other banking material were seized.Police said account details linked to Akukara’s operations matched transfers flagged in 338 complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.“The accused bought USDT using the proceeds of fraud received in the accounts and transferred it to the syndicate after deducting his commission. The commission was not fixed and depended on the fraud,” said Y S Sisodiya, police inspector, Cyber Crime.Akukara is a second-year civil engineering student in Lithuania and had returned to India about three months ago. Khan works with a catering service.
