Odisha STF busts ‘mule’ bank account racket, 3 held
Bhubaneswar Oct 19: The special task force (STF) of the Odisha Police has busted an interstate racket of opening ‘mule’ bank accounts and arrested three persons in this connection, an official said on Thursday. The three – two from Balasore and one from West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district – were apprehended here on Wednesday for being involved in the racket, he said, adding that the mastermind was among those arrested. Explaining the modus operandi of the racket, the STF official said the main accused had employed around 10-15 people for a monthly emolument of Rs 15,000 each to open bank accounts. Villagers were generally offered Rs 2,000 per account for giving their documents and opening bank accounts. “The gang then sells these bank accounts along with the linked mobile numbers at a rate of Rs 15,000-20,000 per account to cyber criminals based in Kolkata and other parts of India,” the STF official said. However,They were using social media platforms to sell the ‘mule’ bank accounts, he said. The task force also found that the swindlers abandon the bank accounts once the total transactions reach an amount of Rs 1 lakh. (PTI)
Russian woman held with drugs worth Rs 4 lakh
Panaji, Oct 19: Goa Police has arrested a Russian national for allegedly possessing drugs valued at Rs 4 lakhs on Thursday. Police said that the Anti Narcotic Cell (ANC) conducted raid at Arambol in North Goa and arrested a Russian woman with 800 grams of Charas valued at Rs 4 lakhs from her possession.“The Anti Narcotic Cell received a tip off regarding a Russian woman of being involved in Narcotic activity at Arambol. According to a statement here, the woman was identified as Margarita Pigina, 38, Russian national who was staying in a rented apartment at Arambol. Meanwhile, the ANC raided her rented apartment and seized 800 grams of Charas,” police said. Police said that further investigation in the case is underway. (IANS)