Three held for using mule accounts to receive ₹1.5 lakh cheated from Gujarat man

Three individuals, a student from Delhi University and a bike taxi rider, have been arrested for allegedly receiving and withdrawing funds stolen from a man from Gujarat, according to police in New Delhi. The victim, a resident of Patan in Gujarat, lost ₹1.5 lakh when he paid for washing machine spare parts online, but never received the promised items.

The stolen money was reportedly routed through several bank accounts, with some of it withdrawn from an ATM in East Delhi. The suspects identified are Vikas Soni, Naitik, and Sagar, all residents of Shakarpur and Trilokpuri respectively. The investigation began after the victim lodged an online complaint, leading to the filing of an FIR on September 7.

During the probe, it was discovered that a portion of the stolen funds was transferred to Naitik's bank account. Vikas Soni, a BA third-year student, allegedly used his bank account to receive the money, while Naitik, a BA second-year student from Delhi University's School of Open Learning, withdrew the stolen amount. Sagar, a 12th-pass bike taxi rider, allegedly allowed his account to be used for receiving part of the funds, withdrew the cash, and handed it over to an absconding associate in exchange for a commission.

Vikas was found in possession of a black iPhone 13, which investigators believe contains communications related to the transactions. Authorities are still trying to trace the absconding associate, identify other individuals involved in the network, and uncover the full extent of the stolen funds.