What is Mule Hunter ?

Why in News ? The term was recently used by the RBI on the issues & challenges of digital fraud .

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced MuleHunter.AI, an advanced AI-based tool designed to help financial institutions identify mule bank accounts.

• Objective: This initiative aims to combat digital frauds and strengthen bank security by identifying accounts used to launder illicit funds.

About MuleHunter.AI

• Development by RBIH: The MuleHunter.AI tool was developed by the RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH) in Bengaluru using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies.
• Working: MuleHunter.AI utilizes advanced ML algorithms that can analyze vast datasets more accurately and quickly, improving detection efficiency.

Advantages:

• • Advantages over Traditional Systems: High false positives and slow processing times, leading to missed detections.
  • Improved Accuracy and Speed: The AI/ML model is capable of predicting suspected mule accounts with greater precision and faster than conventional systems. This enables banks to identify mule accounts more effectively, thereby reducing digital frauds.
  • Wider Detection Capabilities: The system can analyze transaction and account details, leading to the identification of more mule accounts within a bank’s system.

What is a Mule Account?

Definition: A mule account is a bank account used by criminals to facilitate the transfer and laundering of illicit funds.

• These accounts are often set up by unsuspecting individuals, either lured by fraudulent schemes or coerced into participating.

Challenges with Mule Accounts

• Anonymity:These accounts are highly interconnected, making it difficult to trace and recover the laundered money.
• The Indian government recently froze around 4.5 lakh mule accounts over the past year, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.
• Scale of the Problem:Digital frauds involving mule accounts have become a significant challenge for the banking industry and the economy.
• Some large banks report fraudulent transactions amounting to Rs 400-500 crore every month.

• Undermining Trust: Mule accounts, often used to launder proceeds of cybercrimes, undermine public trust in the financial system
• Financial Impact: These illicit activities put a strain on the banking sector and have broader implications for national security and economic stability.

About the  RBIH:

• The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI, established in Bengaluru to foster financial innovation for frictionless finance for all Indians, focusing on  Reg Tech, AI/ML, blockchain, and digital currency, by creating an ecosystem for startups, banks, and academia to build new financial infrastructure and improve access for low-income groups.
• It acts as a central point for developing tech solutions, running regulatory sandboxes, and promoting financial inclusion through collaborations and challenges.