With the changing times in the digital age, the tactics of fraud are also changing. In recent times, there has been an increase in cases of cyber fraud. Fraudsters are committing fraud in new ways. A case of cyber fraud worth crores of rupees has come to light in Bargarh district of Odisha. In this case, suspicious transactions worth more than Rs 7 crore through fake (mule) bank accounts have been revealed.
Investigation of two suspicious accounts
According to the information received, Sub-Inspector Pramila Marei posted at Padampur police station submitted a report at 11:23 pm on 17 February 2026. This action was taken on the instructions of SP, CID-CB, Odisha, Cuttack. During the investigation, two suspicious accounts opened in the branches of Punjab National Bank (PNB) and UCO Bank located in Padampur were examined. Investigation revealed that one account was opened in the name of Adarsh Gidhili (23) and the other account was opened in the name of Sabya Pradhan (23).
6 accounts opened in different banks
Further investigation revealed that these accounts were opened by Aman Sahu (27), resident of Sahupada, Padampur. During interrogation, Aman Sahu admitted that he had opened a total of six accounts in different banks in the names of Adarsh Gidhili, Sabya Pradhan, Rahul Rana, Shubham Mehar, Chandrakant Sahu and Rashmikant Sunani. He had handed over the passbooks and ATM cards of these accounts to Chandni Aggarwal alias Mittal (35), resident of Bargarh.
Big transaction happened in 2024-25
During the year 2024-25, transactions of huge amount were found in these accounts. Investigation revealed that an amount of more than Rs 7 crore was transferred through these accounts related to cyber fraud. Police have registered a case in this matter under sections 318(4), 336(3), 340(1), 61(2)(b), 3(5) of the Indian Justice Code (BNS) and sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. At present, the police is investigating the entire network and the search for other possible accused related to cyber fraud is going on.
