Rourkela Police Cracks Down on Organized Cybercrime Network
Police authorities in Rourkela achieved a significant breakthrough on Monday. They successfully dismantled an organized criminal syndicate that specialized in creating and managing mule bank accounts. This network facilitated large-scale cybercrime operations and money laundering activities. The operation led to the arrest of seven individuals, including an employee from a private bank.
Details of the Accused and Their Operations
The arrested persons have been identified as Palash Ghosh, Aryaan Mahanandia, Waquar Khan, Vikram Singh, Ayaan Hussain, Akash Sharma, and Bipin Kumar Shaw. Rourkela Superintendent of Police Nitesh Wadhwani provided insights into the gang's primary activities. He explained that the group focused on opening bank accounts using forged documents and impersonation techniques. They targeted unsuspecting individuals, mostly from Rourkela and its surrounding areas.
These fraudulently opened accounts were then sold or rented to cybercriminals operating across India. The accounts served as tools for routing fraudulent proceeds, layering transactions to hide money trails, and laundering funds both domestically and internationally. Investigations uncovered a troubling pattern. Many accounts were opened with the connivance or negligence of bank staff, effectively bypassing standard Know Your Customer (KYC) norms.
Bank Employee Involvement and Modus Operandi
Bipin Kumar Shaw, aged 27 and employed at a private bank, allegedly played a key role. He helped activate these fraudulent accounts, enabling their use for illegal activities. SP Wadhwani expressed suspicion regarding further involvement from bank insiders. He noted that the sheer volume of accounts opened without proper scrutiny suggests possible collusion from additional bank personnel.
The criminal syndicate offered a comprehensive package to their clients. They arranged not only bank accounts but also SIM cards and forged identity documents. For each complete account setup, they charged fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. These accounts became instrumental in various cybercrime modes, including online gaming fraud. Official data from the Samanvaya portal, maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, reveals a startling connection. These accounts have surfaced in over 200 cyber fraud cases reported nationwide.
Coordinated Police Operation and Seizures
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Rourkela police launched a coordinated operation. The operation was carried out under the direct supervision of Additional SP Shrabanee Nayak. Multiple police teams participated from RN Palli, Plantsite, B Tarang, and Sector-7 police stations. Their collaborative efforts led to the successful bust of the syndicate.
During the operation, police authorities seized substantial evidence from the accused. The seized items include 80 bank passbooks, 50 debit cards, 10 Aadhaar cards, 20 PAN cards, 15 cheque books, 4 laptops, and 25 mobile phones. These items are expected to provide crucial evidence for further investigations and legal proceedings.
This case highlights the growing challenge of cyber-enabled financial crimes in India. It underscores the importance of vigilance within banking institutions and the need for robust verification processes to prevent such fraudulent activities.
