Chhattisgarh Police Arrest Two in Rs 3.37 Crore Cyber Fraud Linked to 11 States

Chhattisgarh Police have arrested two men in Kanker district for their alleged role in operating bank mule accounts tied to a nationwide cyber fraud syndicate that siphoned off more than Rs 3.37 crore. The suspects, identified by investigators as 25-year-old Akhileshwar Jain and 26-year-old Satish Udeshi, were taken into custody following an intelligence-driven operation by the district cyber cell.

According to law enforcement authorities, both individuals operated accounts at a Bank of Baroda branch in the Bhanupratappur area of Kanker. Investigators determined that these accounts were systematically utilized to receive, layer, and rapidly route illicit proceeds generated through digital scams targeting victims across the country.

The fraudulent network came to light after the cyber cell analyzed transaction flows cross-referenced through national cybercrime coordination databases. The digital trail connected the two flagged accounts to at least 11 separate cybercrime complaints registered across multiple Indian states, illustrating the sprawling reach of the operation.

Inquiries revealed that victims in Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana had deposited funds into these designated channels. The total volume of illicit transactions identified across the accounts reached approximately Rs 3,37,50,000, pointing to the high transaction velocity typical of organized financial crime rings.

Police officials stated that both Jain and Udeshi previously worked as sales clerks before being enlisted by an intermediary. The two men were allegedly approached by a handler identified as Parmeshwar Markam from neighboring Kondagaon district, who induced them to open commercial and savings accounts using their authentic identity credentials.

Once the accounts were established, the suspects reportedly handed over their passbooks, ATM debit cards, and registered mobile SIM cards to Markam. In return for promised financial incentives and commissions, the account holders granted third-party syndicates complete operational control to transfer stolen funds and execute cash withdrawals.

The case underscores how cybercrime syndicates increasingly recruit account holders in tier-three towns and rural districts to establish laundering infrastructure. By leasing accounts from local residents, cyber syndicates bypass routine banking friction and maintain administrative distance between frontline scammers and the financial system.

Following the arrests, cyber investigators moved quickly to place formal debit freezes on the accounts to safeguard the remaining illicit funds. Both suspects were subsequently produced before a judicial magistrate and remanded to judicial custody while formal charges were filed under relevant sections of criminal law.

District police teams are currently pursuing Parmeshwar Markam to uncover the broader chain of handlers and financiers behind the racket. Authorities are also coordinating with law enforcement agencies in other affected states to trace the final destinations of the diverted funds.