Mumbai Crime Branch Busts ₹500 Crore Cyber Fraud Racket Goa Villa, Sri Lanka Handler & Dubai USDT Trail Exposed

Mumbai's Crime Branch has dismantled a significant cyber fraud network, uncovering a wealth of illicit activities and revealing new connections to international criminal hubs. The operation, which took place in a lavish villa in Goa, has exposed a network allegedly led by a key handler in Sri Lanka, raising concerns about Sri Lanka's potential role in such criminal networks.

The fraudsters allegedly engaged in various deceptive practices, including digital arrest scams, WhatsApp profile picture-related frauds, and APK file-based frauds. The investigation has uncovered a staggering amount of around Rs500 crore that was allegedly transferred through more than 150 mule accounts over the past six months. The proceeds are believed to have been sent to Dubai and converted into the cryptocurrency USDT.

The police investigation revealed that the villa, located near Calangute Beach, had been rented for approximately Rs1 lakh per month and may have been operational for six to eight months. The accused were reportedly paid a commission of 3% on transactions, along with monthly salaries ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹30,000. They led a lavish lifestyle, suggesting a sophisticated operation.

Youngsters were allegedly lured with false job offers in the garment industry and subsequently trained to handle cyber fraud transactions. The network allegedly communicated through an application called Rudra. The police are now examining whether similar cyber fraud operations are taking place in other rented villas near Goa's beaches.

This latest bust adds to the growing concerns about the emergence of Sri Lanka as another potential hub for cyber fraud networks. Authorities in Sri Lanka now face the challenge of addressing these criminal networks and ensuring they do not become a safe haven for such illicit activities.