The Balangir Cyber Crime and Economic Offences (CC & EO) Police Station has busted an organised syndicate involved in operating mule bank accounts used to route proceeds from various cyber frauds.
The action follows the registration of Balangir CC & EO PS Case No. 24, dated September 4, 2026, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. The investigation was initiated after inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) flagged suspicious transactions in accounts tied to multiple cyber fraud complaints across the country.
Operation of Mule Account Network
Police investigations revealed that the accused were part of an extensive cybercrime network that arranged forged bank accounts, SIM cards, and banking credentials. These “mule accounts” served as conduits to wash and transfer illicit money generated through scam operations, including digital arrest frauds, OLX scams, malicious APK file downloads, and fake investment schemes. Multiple National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) complaints traced money trails leading to these accounts, with fraudulent transactions amounting to over ₹35 lakh detected so far.
Accused Arrested and Identified
During the crackdown, law enforcement apprehended four key individuals associated with the syndicate:
-
Jubaraj Deep (48), son of Hari Deep, resident of Hirapur village, Loisingha PS, Balangir district.
-
Prasanna Kumar Nag (34), son of Jagadish Nag, resident of Bardol village, Balangir PS, Balangir district.
-
Sunny Barve (23), son of Late Rabindra Barve, resident of Mahavir Nagar, New Rajendra Nagar PS, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh.
-
Prakash Sharma alias Chatnu (24), son of Late Nirmal Sharma, resident of Deendayal Upadhya Nagar, Gudhiyari PS, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh.
Further inquiry established the involvement of additional associates, including Aditya Dubey, Aman Dubey, Patitapabana Herna, and Rahul Baghamare. Police efforts are currently underway to arrest the remaining suspects and trace the complete flow of illicit funds.
Seizures and Investigation Team
Police confiscated several items used in the criminal operations:
-
5 Mobile Phones
-
22 Cheque Books
-
25 Bank Passbooks
-
10 Debit Cards
The successful operation was executed by a dedicated police team led by DSP Manaja Panda, Inspector Bharati Naik, Inspector Karma Lakra, Constable Sushanta Kumar Parida, Constable Sudhanshu Sekhar Patel, and Constable Nepal Mahananda.
Police Advisory to the Public
Following the operation, the police issued a public warning advising citizens never to share personal banking credentials, OTPs, or debit card details with unknown individuals. Authorities urged anyone who encounters suspicious cyber activity to immediately contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or report to the nearest police station.
