Odisha Police Uncover Massive Network of Mule Accounts in Cyber Scam Crackdown
In a significant breakthrough, police in Odisha's northern range have detected a staggering 1,346 mule accounts that recorded transactions worth an astounding Rs 145 crore over the past few months. This crackdown is part of the recently launched Operation 'Cyber Kavach', a statewide initiative aimed at dismantling mule accounts that have become a key instrument in various cyber frauds, including digital arrest scams and online trading rackets.
District-Wise Breakdown of Mule Account Detections
The accounts were traced to four districts: Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, and Balangir. According to IGP (northern range) Himansu Lal, the breakdown is as follows:
- Sambalpur: 140 mule accounts with transactions totaling Rs 110 crore.
- Bargarh: 1,062 mule accounts with transactions worth Rs 29 crore.
- Jharsuguda: 140 mule accounts with transactions amounting to Rs 5.27 crore.
These accounts were used to route, layer, and withdraw illegal funds linked to cyber scams, highlighting a sophisticated network of financial crime.
Arrests and Investigations in Key Districts
Sambalpur SP Mukesh Bhamoo revealed that 20 people were arrested for facilitating the creation of mule accounts on behalf of cyber criminals. "We have detained a total of 52 account holders and served notices on 32 others for further verification. Transactions through these 52 accounts alone would be around Rs 75.36 crore," Bhamoo stated. This indicates the scale of illegal activities concentrated in these accounts.
In other districts, Bargarh SP Prahalad Meena and Jharsuguda SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra confirmed the arrest of five and 15 suspects, respectively. Police investigations revealed that the accused failed to provide satisfactory explanations for suspicious high-value transactions. Many accounts appeared to have been opened and operated knowingly or negligently for commission-based illegal financial activities, underscoring the complicity of account holders in these scams.
Implications and Ongoing Efforts
The detection of these mule accounts underscores the growing threat of cyber financial fraud in Odisha and the critical role of law enforcement in combating it. Operation Cyber Kavach represents a proactive approach to tackling such crimes, with police focusing on disrupting the financial infrastructure that supports cyber scams. As investigations continue, authorities are likely to uncover more connections and potentially make further arrests to dismantle these illicit networks entirely.
