‘Cybercrimes threat to nation's economy': Court denies bail to farmer who provided mule accounts
Mumbai: Noting the serious nature of cybercrimes and their potential to undermine the nation's economy, a sessions court denied bail to a Bikaner farmer who allegedly arranged for bank accounts to park Rs 7.2 lakh conned out of a naval staffer threatened with digital arrest last year.
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The court said if released on bail, the accused, Ugraram Godara, might commit similar offences. "The advocate for the accused vehemently argued that he received only Rs 22,500 [as commission]. More than the amount, the modus operandi holds weightage," the judge said. "He (Godara) took a day's commission [from each transaction] and handed over that amount to the key accused. This is a very serious cybercrime."
Godara was arrested by Mumbai police on April 8.
The complainant said he received a call from a person who claimed to be a representative of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Dec 24, 2024, and was told that his bank account was used to launder illicit funds abroad in a case linked to a politician. The Navy staffer said he then received a video call from a person posing as a Delhi police officer, who cited a pending arrest warrant and threatened to place him under digital arrest.
The impersonator said the warrant could be cancelled if he transferred certain sums of money to specific bank accounts. The complainant complied and eventually transferred Rs 7.2 lakh in all.
The prosecution alleged Godara provided mule bank accounts for commissions. As per the alleged modus operandi, another fraudster would contact targets and direct them to transfer money into these accounts. It was claimed Godara's driver, Shyamsunder Rahar, withdrew money from different ATMs, took his cut and handed the rest to him. The prosecution said Godara has been named in other cybercrime cases too.
Godara's advocate said he was arrested merely on suspicion, adding that he has a young daughter, his wife has died, and his elderly father is dependent on him.
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