3 Things Digital scam trail tracked, Punjab's mega land pooling, and Hasina sentenced
Jul 3, 2025
Ritu Sarin, an investigative journalist specializing in financial crime, reveals the dark world of digital scams in India, focusing on how mule accounts launder money. Kanchan Vasdev, a journalist covering land acquisition in Punjab, discusses the controversial new land pooling policy that could transform urban development but raises concerns for farmers. Lastly, they cover the legal turmoil surrounding Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces a six-month prison sentence for contempt, igniting political unrest.
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Scam Money Trail Uncovered
- Investigation followed a scam case where a woman lost 5.85 crore rupees through digital fraud.
- The initial money was withdrawn and quickly transferred through a web of 141 accounts across 15 states.
Young Man as a Mule Account Holder
- The first mule account belonged to Piyush, a young unemployed man in Haryana, pressured to open bank accounts.
- His parents are fighting legal battles as the money rapidly moves out of his account within minutes.
Bank Manager's Role in Scam
- Bank manager Venkateshwaralu Samudrala opened many mule accounts and was linked to multiple criminal cases.
- He promised poor individuals jobs to coerce them into opening accounts used to move crores in fraud.