The Odisha Police have cracked a well-organised mule account racket, arresting four brokers involved in facilitating cybercrime by opening bank accounts in others’ names. The accused are Pabitra Pradhan (25), Anil Kumar Patra (24), Gagan Dalai (25), and Shankarshana Sahu (23), all residents of Ganjam district.
Police said Pradhan acted as the main agent, coordinating the operation, while the other three served as sub-agents. During the raid, authorities seized five mobile phones, two bank passbooks, Aadhaar cards, and an ATM card. Investigations suggest that a primary operator based in New Delhi directed the racket, using the agents to open accounts for cybercriminal activity.
According to Chhatrapur police officials, two mule accounts were opened in May in the names of local residents, each with a Rs 2,000 cash incentive for the sub-agents. These accounts reportedly held Rs 9 lakh without the account holders’ knowledge. Police suspect the sub-agents may have opened over 100 accounts, all of which were controlled remotely by the New Delhi handler.
The scheme was structured so that sub-agents earned a commission for each new account, while the main agent, Pradhan, received additional payment from the New Delhi operator. Officials described the operation as a well-established racket and confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend all members of the network.
