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Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Crime and Economic Offence police in Bhubaneswar have busted a well-organised local mule account racket that was allegedly facilitating large-scale cyber investment frauds.

Five individuals were arrested on May 12 during the investigation of a case in which a retired bank employee from Badagada in Bhubaneswar was defrauded of Rs 7.22 crore between January and March 2026.

According to the police press release, investigation revealed that the stolen money was routed through multiple layered bank accounts in an attempt to obscure the trail. Initial analysis showed that Rs 1.26 lakh was transferred to an account held by one of the accused, who had recently acquired a fresh SIM card. The funds were then moved to secondary accounts before being withdrawn via ATMs within Bhubaneswar.

The arrested individuals, identified as key players in procuring, storing, selling, and operating mule bank accounts and related tools for cyber fraudsters, are Chinmay Prasad Behera alias Akash (22), a graduate from Khurda, Bapujee Kumar Behera alias Bapujee (25), a graduate from Dhenkanal currently residing in Bhubaneswar, Kamalakanta Jena alias Gagan (27), under matriculate from Balasore, Lusan Ranjan Luha alias Luha (23), an engineering graduate from Nayapalli in Bhubaneswar and Pramod Kumar Behera alias Bulbul (28), an MCom from Bhadrak.

These accused were allegedly operating as mule account aggregators and suppliers. Their modus operandi included purchasing complete “account kits” — comprising bank account credentials, ATM cards, and SIM cards — from local holders for amounts ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 25,000 per account. They would then sell these kits to cyber fraudsters through Telegram channels. In some instances, they directly withdrew fraud proceeds through ATMs and settled payments in cash to avoid digital trails.

Mobile forensic analysis uncovered incriminating evidence, including chats related to negotiations for buying and selling accounts and APK files, credential sharing, transaction coordination, and distribution of illegal proceeds.

The release further stated that the arrests were made during an active deal, supported by CCTV footage. A car, 29 suspected mule ATM cards, cash believed to be crime proceeds, 8 mobile phones, 15 SIM cards, an Aadhaar card, one Indian passport, Thai currency coins and other digital evidence, including Telegram chats and screenshots, were seized from the accused.

Police added that one of the key accused, Bapujee Kumar Behera, was leading a lavish lifestyle funded by cyber fraud proceeds, including foreign travel.

The Commissionerate of Police has urged people not to share their bank account details, ATM cards, SIM cards, OTPs, or online banking credentials with anyone in exchange for monetary benefits. Young people have been cautioned against falling for “easy money” schemes involving mule accounts or facilitating digital fraud.