Rise of “Super Mules” Signals Dangerous Shift in Cybercrime Tactics

A BESCOM employee in Bengaluru tragically ended his life after losing ₹11 lakh to a "digital arrest" scam, highlighting the growing threat of mule accounts—bank accounts used by cybercriminals to move stolen money. Traditionally, these were personal accounts, either fake or controlled by unaware individuals. But a disturbing new trend is emerging: corporate mule accounts.

In Bareilly, police arrested Pradeep Kumar Singh, director of Narayani Infotech, for renting out his company’s bank account to a cyber syndicate that defrauded ₹3.2 crore across 11 states. The proceeds, including ₹1.1 crore from a scientist also digitally arrested, were converted into USDT cryptocurrency and routed to Hong Kong-based wallets. Corporate accounts, with higher transaction limits and perceived legitimacy, offer cybercriminals a potent laundering channel.

This case reveals a dangerous evolution: companies now actively colluding with fraud networks. Unlike individual mules, business accounts mask transactions through legit-looking invoices, bulk transfers, and multiple signatories—making detection and law enforcement response far more complex.

The rise of these “super mules” calls for urgent reform. Is it time to establish a corporate-level accountability framework to prevent firms from becoming tools of cybercrime? The line between negligence and collusion is vanishing fast.