Wayanad (Kerala): More than 500 people, largely youngsters, in Kerala’s Wayanad district have landed in serious legal trouble after falling victim to what police describe as a “mule account” racket. Cyber police officials said on Tuesday that fraudsters from outside the district lured locals into renting out their bank accounts, which were later used for illicit financial transactions.

Investigators revealed that account holders are now facing criminal cases registered in several northern and north-eastern states. Within the Kambalakkad police station limits alone, six individuals are currently under investigation. One of them, 27-year-old Ismayil, has already been arrested by Nagaland police and taken to Kohima.

“Muhammed Fanish (28), another youth, was served notice by Dehradun Police in a similar case involving a transaction of Rs 58,000 through his account,” sources said.

A woman named Salmath has also been booked by Lucknow Police after her younger brother allegedly shared her account details with the fraudsters, who then exploited it for a scam.

According to Wayanad Cyber Police, more than 500 local youngsters have been caught in such cases after renting out their accounts for small sums of quick cash. Middlemen were reportedly offering between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 per account, but when fraudulent activities came to light, it was the account holders who faced criminal action.

Similar cases have also emerged in neighbouring Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, police added.

An elderly family member of Ismayil, who was taken into custody by Nagaland Police eight days ago, said they remain in the dark about his situation.

"We don't know anything about his money transactions. Police told us that illegal transactions of Rs 12 lakhs had happened through his account. We have no money to secure his bail. We have no idea what to do," the elderly man told PTI.

Another youngster from Kambalakkad admitted that local middlemen played a key role in luring people.

"They would offer money and collect our bank account number, other details and OTP. We only realise it's a trap when the police come knocking at our door," he said.

PTI