₹4.19 Crore Cyber Fraud Case Cracked in Odisha, Two Culprits Caught

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Odisha Police Crackdown on Cyber Fraud Operation

A recent crackdown by Odisha Police has led to the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in a large-scale cyber fraud operation that spanned multiple states and resulted in the laundering of over ₹4.19 crore through fake bank accounts.

Investigation and Arrests

The arrests, made in Rajgangpur, followed an investigation into suspicious transactions linked to a local bank account that had been flagged in several cybercrime complaints. The accused, identified as Abdul Kadir and Fayaz Raja, were found to be responsible for operating mule accounts and facilitating cash withdrawals on behalf of a larger network.

Financial Records Reveal Sophisticated Laundering Mechanism

According to financial records, the three accounts in question had been used to move a substantial amount of money in a short period, with ₹4,19,14,136 passing through the accounts in just one month. This suggests a sophisticated laundering mechanism, where money from victims across different states was deposited, withdrawn, and then transferred to higher-level operators after deducting commissions.

During interrogation, the arrested duo admitted to working for a wider cyber fraud syndicate, with their role involving the opening or procurement of fake accounts, sharing banking credentials with handlers, and arranging rapid cash withdrawals to break the money trail.

Regional Money-Muling Hub

The investigation has revealed that the Rajgangpur accounts functioned as a regional money-muling hub for the network, which is believed to be linked to organized cybercrime modules that run phishing, investment scams, and impersonation calls targeting victims across India.

Use of Mule Accounts a Growing Concern

The use of mule accounts is a growing concern in cybercrime, as it enables fraudsters to move money quickly across states, making recovery difficult and delaying detection. In this case, the accused were paid small commissions to open accounts or allow their credentials to be used for illegal fund transfers.

Crackdown and Future Arrests

The crackdown is seen as a significant step in dismantling the financial infrastructure that supports online fraud networks. Further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses, and more accounts linked to the syndicate are identified.

Evolving Nature of Cybercrime

The case highlights the evolving nature of cybercrime, which has transformed into organized financial operations with layered transactions, interstate coordination, and local facilitators forming the backbone of large-scale fraud.

Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution and not share banking credentials, rent out accounts, or allow others to use their ATM cards, warning that mule account holders can be held legally liable even if they are not the masterminds behind the operation.