In continuation of the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and Digital Arrest Scams, CBI has launched nationwide searches at 42 locations in five states in connection with Mule Bank accounts being used in Cyber frauds. The drive was launched across five States – Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh under operation Chakra-5. The enquiry revealed that more than seven hundred branches of various banks across the country have opened around 8.5 lakh mule accounts. The agency said that these accounts were opened either without proper KYC norms or an initial risk assessment. During the searches, several incriminating documents and digital evidence, mobile phones, Bank Account Opening Documents, Transactions Details, and KYC documents have been seized. CBI has arrested nine accused which including middlemen, agents, account holders, and bank correspondents, for their involvement in the operation and facilitation of opening of mule bank accounts.