Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Crime and Economic Offences wing here busted a mule account racket operating through companies projected as manpower service and hospitality providers, arresting three persons in connection with a Rs 5-lakh cyber fraud case, officials said Monday.
The arrested accused were identified as Jitendra Kumar Khuntia (33), Rajesh Kumar Jena (34) and Purushottam Behera (35). The case came to light after Tenvent Communication Private Limited allegedly lost Rs 5 lakh after an unidentified fraudster impersonated a senior company official on WhatsApp and issued payment instructions to an employee.
Police said the money was transferred to an account in the name of PP Hospitality & Services Private Limited. Investigation revealed that the account had also figured in cyber fraud complaints involving transactions reported in Odisha and Gujarat.
According to investigators, the company was allegedly used as a front for opening and operating multiple bank accounts that were subsequently used as mule accounts in cybercrimes across the country. Police alleged that the arrested persons opened accounts in different banks and collected account credentials, which were allegedly supplied to the racket’s mastermind, Krushna Chandra Behera.
The credentials were allegedly sold to cyber fraudsters operating from outside Odisha. Police seized three mobile phones, 10 debit cards, nine credit cards, cheques, a passbook and company-related documents. Police advised citizens to verify payment requests received through WhatsApp and other digital platforms and immediately contact the cybercrime helpline 1930 or the nearest cyber police station in case of suspected fraud.