The Cyber Police Station South of Gurugram Police has arrested three men accused of supplying bank accounts to a cybercrime network that allegedly cheated pilgrims through fake Char Dham helicopter booking websites and social media advertisements.

Police identified the accused as Ajit Kumar Shah, Pradyum and Vinay, all originally from different districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Investigators allege that the suspects provided complete banking kits—including passbooks, debit cards and internet banking credentials—to cybercrime operators in exchange for commission.

More Than 10 Bank Accounts Allegedly Opened

According to police, the accused allegedly altered the residential addresses recorded in their Aadhaar documents to satisfy local address-verification requirements at bank branches in the National Capital Region.

Using these credentials, the group reportedly opened more than 10 savings and current accounts across multiple banks.

Investigators allege that the suspects later handed over:

• Bank passbooks
• Debit cards
• Registered mobile numbers
• Internet banking access
• Account opening documents

to cybercrime handlers operating outside the state.

₹5,000 Allegedly Paid for Each Account Kit

During questioning, police reportedly found that Vinay had been introduced to the operation by another coordinator who offered money for every operational bank account supplied to the network.

Vinay allegedly recruited Ajit Kumar Shah and Pradyum to open additional accounts across different bank branches.

According to investigators, the suspects received approximately ₹5,000 for each fully operational account kit delivered to the cybercrime network.

Police are now working to identify the senior coordinators and beneficiaries who allegedly controlled the accounts and withdrew the fraud proceeds.

Accounts Linked to Multiple Cybercrime Complaints

Investigators cross-checked the seized mobile numbers and bank accounts with records available on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

The review reportedly revealed that several accounts and mobile numbers were already linked to cyber fraud complaints registered in different states.

Police are analysing:

• Incoming fund transfers
• ATM withdrawals
• UPI and wallet transactions
• Mobile phone records
• Internet banking access logs
• Links with other mule-account operators

The objective is to determine the total amount routed through the accounts and identify the wider network behind the fraud.

Fake Char Dham Helicopter Booking Portals Targeted Pilgrims

According to investigators, the broader syndicate allegedly created lookalike websites and social media advertisements offering helicopter tickets for the Char Dham Yatra.

These platforms reportedly copied the appearance of genuine travel and aviation booking services to convince pilgrims that they were purchasing authentic tickets for destinations such as Kedarnath and Badrinath.

After receiving advance payments, the fraudsters allegedly issued fake booking confirmations and stopped responding to victims.

The money was then routed through mule accounts to make the financial trail difficult to trace.

How Pilgrims Can Avoid Fake Booking Scams

Travellers should treat discounted or urgent helicopter booking offers circulated through social media, messaging groups or sponsored advertisements with caution.

Before making payment, pilgrims should:

• Use only officially authorised booking portals
• Verify the travel operator’s registration
• Avoid transferring money to personal bank accounts
• Confirm booking references through official channels
• Check the recipient name before approving payment
• Report suspected cyber fraud immediately through 1930

No genuine booking operator should require customers to send money into unrelated individual accounts.

Financial Control and Record-Keeping Perspective

Mule-account networks depend on rapid movement of funds through accounts opened in the names of local individuals.

Banks, travel companies and online booking platforms can reduce this risk through stronger account monitoring, verified payment gateways and real-time reconciliation.

Professional bookkeeping services in india can help legitimate businesses maintain accurate booking records, reconcile customer payments and identify transfers that do not match confirmed reservations or authorised merchant accounts.

Conclusion

The Gurugram arrests highlight how fake travel portals and mule bank accounts work together in organised cyber fraud.

While the fake booking platform attracts victims, the mule accounts provide a temporary channel for receiving and withdrawing the stolen money.

Police are continuing to trace the financial trail, identify the cyber handlers and determine whether the same accounts were used in additional scams.

Shunyatax Global Insight

Shunyatax Global says that religious tourism fraud succeeds when urgency and limited ticket availability push travellers to bypass verification. Travel operators should use centralised payment gateways, verified merchant accounts and structured bookkeeping services in india to ensure every customer payment is matched with an authentic booking. Individuals should never rent, sell or share their bank accounts, as even a commission of ₹5,000 can expose the account holder to serious criminal and financial consequences.