Gujarat's Deputy CM addresses 5,300 bank branches across the State to strengthen fight against cyber crime
A high-level video conference was held by the Deputy Chief Minister of the State, Shri Harsh Sanghavi, to provide necessary guidance and instructions on ensuring a more effective response against cyber financial fraud, strengthening the 1930 helpline further, implementing strict controls on mule accounts, and real-time coordination between banks and Gujarat Police.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) chaired a high-level video conference with senior police officials and representatives from leading banks. The meeting, organized under the aegis of the Cyber Centre of Excellence (Cyber Gujarat) and involving Bank of Baroda among others, brought together officials from over 5,300 bank branches across the state.
The focus was clear and urgent: building a more effective response against cyber financial frauds, further strengthening the 1930 cybercrime helpline, imposing stricter controls on mule accounts, and ensuring real-time coordination between banks and the Gujarat Police. Discussions also covered enhancing awareness of cyber frauds, analysing fraud patterns, improving verification processes, protecting vulnerable groups like senior citizens, and creating mechanisms for immediate freezing of fraudulent transactions during the critical “golden hour” to maximize fund recovery.
Sanghavi emphasized that a strong partnership between law enforcement and the banking sector is essential to building a safer digital ecosystem for citizens. “A strong partnership between law enforcement and the banking sector is key to building a safer digital ecosystem,” he posted after the meeting, underscoring the collective responsibility to safeguard hard-earned money from digital scams.
Why This Topic Demanded the Dy CM’s Direct Leadership
The decision for the Deputy Chief Minister to personally chair the conference highlights the gravity of the cyber financial fraud crisis in Gujarat and across India. Cybercrime has evolved into a sophisticated, multi-crore industry that preys on ordinary citizens through phishing, digital arrest scams, APK malware, and mule account networks. These “mule” accounts, bank accounts rented or misused to receive, transfer, and launder stolen funds, form the backbone of fraud operations, making money trails hard to trace and recovery difficult.Gujarat has already demonstrated resolve through major crackdowns. Under Operation Mule Hunt 1.0 (launched in 2025 and reviewed under Sanghavi’s supervision), police and the Cyber Centre of Excellence took action against 913 mule accounts, registered 565 FIRs, arrested 638 accused, and exposed cyber frauds worth ₹2,289 crore linked to thousands of cases nationwide. Subsequent efforts, including Operation Mule Hunt 2.0, further intensified the drive against these networks. The 1930 helpline has proven vital, with instances of 100% fund freezing in reported cases when banks respond swiftly.
Gujarat has already achieved significant success through Operation Mule Hunt 1.0 & 2.0, but continuous high-level oversight is needed to stay ahead of criminals.