Anuppur Police Uncover International Mule Account Racket with Dubai Links
In a significant breakthrough, police in Anuppur have dismantled an international mule account racket with connections to Dubai, arresting a key accused from Mumbai and confiscating a substantial cache of ATM cards, SIM cards, and digital devices used to route illicit funds. This arrest brings the total number of individuals held in the case to seven, according to officials.
Key Arrest and Seizures in Mumbai
The Kotma police identified the Mumbai-based accused as Deepak Yadav, also known as Philip, who was allegedly coordinating with masterminds operating from Dubai. During the operation, authorities recovered 145 ATM cards, 23 SIM cards, 20 passbooks, 14 mobile phones, a laptop, and an internet router from his possession. This follows an earlier arrest on February 28, where three other accused were taken into custody and 19 ATM cards were seized. In total, investigators have now seized 165 ATM cards and 18 mobile phones linked to the racket.
Modus Operandi and Financial Scale
According to police reports, the syndicate utilized bank accounts opened in the names of villagers from Anuppur district to channel large-scale illegal transactions for handlers based in Dubai. The operation involved procuring ATM cards and related documents, which were then sent via parcels to overseas operators. The gang is suspected of withdrawing and transferring between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh daily through these accounts. The case emerged after a complaint by a villager, leading investigators to uncover a broader network. During the probe, it was found that local operatives allegedly lured villagers with promises of government benefits to open bank accounts in their names. The ATM cards, passbooks, and SIM cards were subsequently collected by the accused and routed through Mumbai to Dubai.
Police Investigation and Statements
Superintendent of Police Moti-ur-Rehman highlighted the significant scale of the racket. He stated, "So far we have come across around 250 bank accounts being used as mule accounts, and if all transactions are taken into account, it could run into crores. The matter came to light after we found a few youths carrying multiple ATM cards and passbooks. Their interrogation led us to a Mumbai-based accused, who in turn revealed links to a Dubai-based mastermind. We have obtained his passport details and the process to issue a lookout notice is underway. They appear to have lured poor people and purchased their accounts for small sums; the full picture will emerge after detailed investigation."
Legal Actions and Ongoing Efforts
Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and are also examining the possible role of bank employees in facilitating the opening and operation of these accounts. Efforts are ongoing to trace and bring to justice the Dubai-based masterminds, while further investigation is underway to establish the full extent of the financial trail and uncover additional details about the network's operations.
