Rourkela Man Arrested for Operating Mule Account in Multi-Crore Cyber Fraud Case
In a significant crackdown on financial crime, the Chhend police in Rourkela arrested a 43-year-old man on Wednesday for allegedly operating a mule current account that received more than Rs 3 crore from suspicious sources. The account has been linked to extensive cyber and cryptocurrency fraud activities, highlighting growing concerns over digital financial crimes in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The accused, identified as Manoranjan Mishra, a resident of MIG-II-328 under the Chhend police station limits, was taken into custody following a thorough investigation. Police initiated the inquiry based on a complaint filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) regarding a suspicious bank account and fraudulent transactions. A team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector R R Samal conducted verifications and discovered that a current account at a public sector bank's Chhend Housing Colony branch was being exploited for illegal financial activities.
Upon tracing the account to Mishra, he was detained and interrogated. During questioning, Mishra confessed that the account belonged to him and that he had opened it on June 12, 2024. He admitted that the primary purpose of the account was to receive and route fraud money. Bank records revealed that between June 14, 2024, and March 20, 2025, a staggering total of Rs 3,48,99,202 was credited to the account from suspected sources.
Link to Cryptocurrency Fraud and Nationwide Complaints
Investigators found that Mishra could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of these massive deposits. Preliminary findings indicated that the account was not established for legitimate banking purposes but was deliberately created to receive, layer, and dissipate proceeds from cyber fraud. Police also uncovered that 96 complaints related to this account had been filed on the NCRP portal from various states across India, underscoring the widespread impact of the fraud.
Further investigation exposed that the mule account was intricately linked to cryptocurrency fraud schemes. In these scams, individuals across the country allegedly invested large sums of money, only to be duped. The proceeds from these fraudulent activities were routed through Mishra's account, according to police statements.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Probe
Chhend police have registered a formal case based on ASI Samal's report. Mishra is also accused of conducting online Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transfers through the same account. During the investigation, authorities seized crucial evidence, including a mobile phone, two SIM cards, an Aadhaar card, and other relevant documents.
B K Singh, inspector in-charge of Chhend police station, emphasized that further investigation is underway to identify other individuals involved in the racket. "We are committed to unraveling the full extent of this network and bringing all perpetrators to justice," Singh stated, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat such financial crimes.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with mule accounts and the increasing sophistication of cyber fraud operations. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activities to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
