The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two bankers from Patna for allegedly creating mule accounts to help cyber fraudsters stash and transfer stolen money. Shalini Sinha, former assistant manager at Canara Bank, and Abhishek Kumar, ex-business development associate at Axis Bank, were nabbed in a coordinated operation—Sinha from Varanasi, UP, and Kumar from Betia, Bihar.
Both face court appearance post-transit remand. CBI is probing other officials’ roles in this banking-cybercrime nexus, part of a larger crackdown involving 61 nationwide searches and 13 prior arrests.
Mule Accounts: Cyber Fraud’s Money Pipeline
Mule accounts—opened with fake IDs—act as temporary buffers for scam proceeds before vanishing into crypto or hawala networks. Account holders (often unwitting) lend details for quick cash, while fraudsters layer funds across banks to dodge detection.
CBI spokesperson revealed: “Sufficient evidence proves their active conspiracy with cybercriminals, including quid pro quo payments and tips to evade system red flags.” Sinha and Kumar allegedly coached scammers on bypassing automated alerts during account setup and transfers.
Chargesheets under IPC/BNS and Prevention of Corruption Act have been filed against earlier accused, signaling aggressive pursuit.
Patna Emerges as Cybercrime Hub
Patna’s banking ecosystem has become a hotspot for mule operations, fueled by lax KYC checks and high unemployment driving locals to “rent” accounts for ₹5,000-20,000.[web: from prior cybercrime searches] CBI’s raids uncovered networks linking digital arrest scams, investment frauds, and UPI laundering to these insider-enabled accounts.
This bust follows rising cyber losses—₹18,000 crore in 2025 per I4C data—with banks under RBI scrutiny for enabling fraud via poor due diligence.
How to Spot & Report Mule Account Traps
- Red Flags: Unsolicited account opening offers, pressure to share OTPs/bank details, or “job” promises involving money transfers.
- Protect Yourself: Verify KYC personally; never share credentials. Use RBI’s Sachet portal for complaints.
- Report Immediately: Call 1930 cyber helpline or file at cybercrime.gov.in—speed recovers 40% of funds.
CBI warns: Bank insiders are the weakest link. As probes deepen, expect more arrests dismantling this cyber-banking underworld.
