BJD MLA cheated of Rs 1.4 crore by cyber frauds transferred money to 22 mule accounts

BHUBANESWAR : The BJD MLA and former minister, who was cheated of Rs 1.4 crore by cyber fraudsters, had transferred money to at least 22 mule bank accounts before realising he was being scammed, Crime Branch sources said on Monday.

The legislator had deposited the money between November 13, 2024 and January 1, 2025 on promise of higher returns through investments in initial public offerings (IPOs) and over-the-counter (OTC) trading. The money was diverted to over 30 mule bank accounts in UTs/states like New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, among others, the sources said.