The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced the arrest of two bank officials for their role in setting up mule accounts in collaboration with organized cybercriminals. Shalini Sinha, an Assistant Manager at Canara Bank, and Abhishek Kumar, a Business Development Associate at Axis Bank, were identified as the arrested individuals. The CBI revealed that these accounts were subsequently used in cyber fraud fund transfers.
The investigation, linked to a CBI case on mule accounts established for cybercrime frauds, led to the arrest of the duo. The agency gathered substantial evidence against the two bankers, proving their active involvement in creating and operating the mule accounts. The CBI also stated that the arrested individuals provided guidance to cyber fraudsters on money mule transactions.
According to the CBI’s press note, the arrested bankers not only facilitated the mule accounts but also received benefits for aiding the cyber fraudsters as part of a conspiracy. Additionally, evidence indicated that the accused provided advice to cybercrime fraudsters on circumventing system-generated red flags. The arrested individuals were apprehended in Varanasi, UP, and Betia, Bihar, and are set to appear before the court after securing transit remand.
The ongoing investigation is exploring the roles of other bank officials involved in setting up and managing mule accounts. The CBI had previously conducted searches at 61 locations nationwide, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals associated with mule accounts. The agency had filed charge sheets against them for various offenses under IPC/BNS and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
