Jharsuguda: Police in Odisha’s Jharsuguda have busted an organised cyber fraud racket involving suspicious transactions exceeding ₹5.27 crore, arresting 15 accused for their role in operating mule bank accounts used to channel scam proceeds across the country. A large number of passbooks, ATM cards, mobile phones and KYC documents were seized during the operation.
Multi-police station crackdown
Jharsuguda Town police arrested six accused whose bank documents were linked to transactions worth around ₹2 crore. Airport police apprehended another accused connected to over ₹3 crore in transfers. The remaining arrests were made by Jharsuguda Sadar, Badmal and Lakhanpur police stations.
Additionally, notices under Section 35(3) of the BNSS have been issued to eight more individuals for questioning.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Modus operandi: recruiting account holders
Investigators found that the racket targeted unemployed and financially vulnerable individuals, persuading them to open bank accounts and hand over:
- Passbooks
- ATM cards
- KYC documents
These accounts were then used as mule accounts to receive and transfer money obtained from cyber fraud cases across multiple states. Funds were routed through several accounts to complicate tracing and detection.
Police described the operation as a well-organised syndicate handling large-scale money movement for online scams.
Nationwide transaction links
FIRs registered in the case indicate that the accounts were used to route fraud proceeds from cybercrime incidents reported in different parts of India, suggesting an interstate network.
Public advisory
The Jharsuguda SP urged citizens to:
- Never share bank accounts, ATM cards or KYC documents with others
- Report suspicious credits immediately to the bank and police
- Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline without delay in case of fraud
Probe widens
Police are now analysing the money trail, identifying the kingpins behind the network, and examining links with operators in other states.
Officials said the action is aimed at dismantling organised cybercrime channels and preventing citizens from being used as mule account holders.
