Bilaspur. A major network allegedly using mule bank accounts to move proceeds of cyber fraud has been uncovered in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, with six people arrested by range cyber crime police.
The investigation found that the accused allegedly provided bank accounts belonging to ordinary people to cyber fraudsters in exchange for commissions and a share of the transactions. Account holders were allegedly offered commissions ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, along with a 2.8% share of every transaction.
The case came to light through two accounts with Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank’s Mangla branch. More than ₹2.32 crore was transacted through the accounts of Sanwaria Enterprises and Ajay Farm House within around 25 days. A bank audit reportedly detected transactions involving the suspected transfer and withdrawal of funds linked to cyber fraud. Following this, the bank filed a complaint with the range cyber crime police and handed over documents and transaction records related to the accounts.
Bank officials suspected that the accounts had been provided on rent to facilitate the movement of cyber fraud proceeds. During the investigation, police detained account holder Ajay Kumar Soni for questioning. His interrogation allegedly led investigators to Narendra Kurre and Raipur resident Devesh Kumar Das alias Robin. Both are suspected of playing key roles in operating the network of bank accounts.
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According to investigators, the accused allegedly persuaded people to open bank accounts in exchange for commissions of ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 and a 2.8% share of each transaction conducted through the accounts. After the accounts were opened, access to net banking and mobile banking facilities was allegedly handed over to cyber fraudsters.
Money allegedly obtained from victims of cyber fraud in different parts of the country was transferred into these accounts. The funds were then allegedly withdrawn quickly or transferred to other accounts. This allowed the bank accounts to function as an intermediary layer between cyber fraudsters and the victims, making it more difficult to trace the ultimate beneficiaries of the money.
The investigation has reportedly linked the bank accounts associated with the accused to more than 50 cybercrime cases registered across over 12 states. Transactions involving around ₹4 crore in suspected fraud proceeds have been traced in these cases. Police are now examining how much money was routed through different accounts and identifying the alleged beneficiaries and other members of the network.
Among those arrested, Abhilash Daniel reportedly has a previous criminal record related to alleged cattle smuggling. Devesh Kumar Das alias Robin is associated with software-related work, while Narendra Kurre is reportedly a contractual employee. His department or place of employment has not yet been established.
Police have seized laptops, mobile phones, cheque books, PAN cards and documents related to bank accounts from the accused. These devices and documents are being examined to establish how the accounts were operated, how the accused communicated with cyber fraudsters and how the money was transferred.
Cases have been registered against all six accused under relevant provisions. They were produced before a court and subsequently sent to judicial custody. Police are continuing to investigate the role of other people allegedly connected with the network, along with additional bank accounts and transactions that may have been used to receive, withdraw and transfer cyber fraud proceeds from victims across the country.
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