The Juhu police have arrested three people after busting a racket where slumdwellers were lured into opening bank accounts on the pretext of being made Ladki Bahin Yojana beneficiaries. Police said more than 2500 such accounts were created, with some appearing to have been sold to cyber fraudsters and money launderers.

The accused, who operated from Surat, Gujarat primarily, targeted residents of Mumbai’s slum areas, including Nehru Nagar, DN Nagar and Dharavi. According to the police, the gang lured victims by promising monthly financial benefits under the ‘Ladki Bahini Yojana’, convincing them to open bank accounts where they would receive R1500 every month. After a ‘beneficiary’ opened a bank account, they were paid R1000 and were told they would receive the dole after a few months. However, the accused later sold these accounts to those indulging in cyber fraud and money laundering.