Bank Manager Arrested in Mumbai for Creating Mule Accounts in Digital Arrest Cybercrime Scheme

The Central Bureau of Investigation has detained an Axis Bank manager in Mumbai for allegedly facilitating the establishment of fraudulent accounts used in cybercrime operations, officials announced on Wednesday.

Nitesh Rai, the bank manager in question, allegedly collaborated with cybercriminals and accepted illegal payments to process account opening forms, thereby creating pathways for the movement and concealment of funds obtained through cybercrimes.

"These accounts were extensively utilized in various cybercrimes, including digital arrest fraud schemes. Charges have been filed against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act and BNS," stated a CBI spokesperson in an official release.

The suspect was apprehended on Tuesday and presented before the appropriate court in Mumbai, which placed him in CBI custody for additional questioning, she confirmed.

"Two cybercriminals who provided illegal gratification to the bank manager have also been named as accused in the FIR for violating the Prevention of Corruption Act related to bribing a public servant," the spokesperson further noted.

Both cybercriminals had previously been arrested by the CBI in connection with ongoing investigations into a digital arrest cybercrime case.

"Evidence gathered during the investigation points to a broader pattern of organized cybercrime networks exploiting banking systems by establishing mule accounts to layer proceeds from cyber fraud stolen from innocent citizens," she explained.