Bihar Police Busts Gang Involved in 'Mule Bank Accounts' for Cybercrime

Strategic Insights -

In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has busted a gang involved in renting out 'mule bank accounts' to cybercriminals, allowing them to transfer funds from online fraud victims. The gang, which operated from a hotel in Saguna Mor, exploited innocent people in need of money, offering them GST refunds or CSC funds in exchange for using their bank accounts for illicit transactions. The investigation has led to the arrest of seven people and the identification of 15 bank accounts involved in transactions exceeding Rs10 crore.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EOU has arrested seven people, including Amit Kumar, Durgesh Kumar, Ravi Prakash, Md Rahbar, Anil Singh, Vishal Kumar, and Bhaskar Kumar, in connection with the cybercrime racket.
  • The gang operated by renting out bank accounts to cybercriminals, earning commissions ranging from 5% to 15% on transactions.
  • The accused have been charged under various sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
  • Investigations are ongoing to trace other cybercriminals linked to the racket, with a special investigation team (SIT) conducting raids and arresting the gang members.
  • Technical investigations revealed that the gang provided mule accounts to cybercriminals across Bihar and also used their own current accounts for illicit transactions.
  • The gang exploited innocent people in need of money, offering them GST refunds or CSC funds in exchange for using their bank accounts for illicit transactions.
  • 15 bank accounts have been flagged on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) for cybercrime complaints from various states, with one account alone having 98 complaints registered against it.
  • The EOU seized several cellphones, electronic devices, and two vehicles from the arrested individuals.

Statistics:

  • 7 people have been arrested by the EOU in connection with the cybercrime racket.
  • 15 bank accounts have been identified in the investigation, with transactions exceeding Rs10 crore.
  • 98 complaints have been registered against one bank account alone on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
  • The gang operated by earning commissions ranging from 5% to 15% on transactions.

Sources:

  • "Deputy superintendent of police (DSP), cyber operation, received a tip-off about cybercriminals operating from a hotel near Saguna Mor."
  • "Technical investigations revealed that the gang provided mule accounts to cybercriminals across Bihar and also used their own current accounts for illicit transactions."
  • "The accused have been charged under various sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)."
  • "The investigation continues to identify further links in this cybercrime network."
  • "The EOU also seized several cellphones, electronic devices, and two vehicles from the accused persons."