Mumbai: The city crime branch has uncovered a racket in which fraudsters allegedly got taxi drivers to open bank accounts that were used to park and route funds generated through cybercrimes. Police suspect transactions worth around Rs 350 crore were routed through such mule accounts, linked to cybercrime proceeds generated nationwide.While tracking mule accounts, officers found a network involved in procuring SIM cards and opening bank accounts in the names of cab drivers. “While tracking these mule accounts, we received information about two suspects operating from Navi Mumbai. Two teams raided their locations and arrested Islamuddin Shaikh (44) and Yaseer Shaikh (26). Their interrogation led us to the third accused, Abdul Razzak Saif,” said DCP (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan.Police said Razzak, a cab driver, had opened a bank account and handed over its control to others for money. Investigators examined his KYC documents and statements and found transactions worth Rs 6.98 crore between May 21 and August 20.During questioning, Razzak told police he had opened bank accounts and obtained SIM cards in his name on Islamuddin’s instructions. He handed over passbooks, ATM cards, cheque books, account documents and SIM cards to Islamuddin for Rs 10,000 per account. Police are examining similar mule accounts opened in other taxi drivers’ names.The Crime Branch seized 88 passbooks, 143 cheque books, 100 ATM cards, 24 mobile phones, 167 SIM cards, two laptops and documents. Several cybercrime complaints across India were linked to the accounts, and funds in some accounts were frozen after complaints, said senior inspector Rohini Poddar.The police team included inspector Ravindra Teltubande and sub-inspectors Dhananjay Choudhary and Sachin Barate. Further investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify other members.
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