Tackling cyber crime in Himachal Pradesh has become a significant challenge for the police, as many people have lost substantial amounts of their hard-earned money to cyber criminals. A new tactics employed by these criminals involves exploiting the bank accounts of unsuspecting individuals to transfer their ill-gotten gains.
These accounts, known as “mule bank accounts,” are used to launder money siphoned off by cybercriminals. The criminals lure individuals into providing their bank account details by offering a small payment in return.
Although many individuals who allowed their accounts to be used for such purposes have been booked in other parts of the country, cases of mule accounts being used by cybercriminals have now surfaced in Himachal Pradesh as well.
Recently, the Karnataka Police, while investigating a case of cyber fraud, traced a mule account to a person from Mandi district. The fraudulently obtained money had been transferred through his account. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the individual had allowed his bank account to be used as a mule account in exchange for a small payment.
In response to this development, the Cyber Crime Cell of the Himachal Pradesh Police in Shimla has issued an advisory to the public, urging them not to fall prey to such schemes. Allowing one’s bank account to be used for transferring illicit money makes the account holder equally culpable in the criminal offense.
According to the Cyber Crime Cell, as many as 11,979 mule accounts have been detected in the state, underscoring the growing severity and threat of such activities.
The Cyber Crime Cell has issued the following advice:
- Do not share your bank account or personal details with unknown callers or individuals.
- Do not allow your bank account to be used by unknown persons, even if they promise monetary rewards.
- Inform the police immediately if someone approaches you with such a proposal.
Citizens can report such incidents to the Cyber Crime Cell through the following methods:
- Helpline number 1930.
- Social media page of the Cyber Crime Police on ‘Cyber Dost.’
- Direct contact with the Cyber Crime Cell in Shimla.
The Cyber Crime Cell has strongly warned the public against allowing their bank accounts to be used as mule accounts for monetary gain and emphasized the need to avoid involvement in any fraudulent activities
