In a significant breakthrough, the Avadi city police have arrested a five-member gang of educated youths who acted as middlemen for cyber fraudsters operating via Telegram groups. All the accused are graduates and were allegedly helping scam operations by arranging mule bank accounts.
The investigation began after G Bijayan (44), a resident of Veppampattu, filed a complaint stating he had lost Rs10.25 lakh in an online trading scam. Acting on the complaint, a cyber crime team led by Inspector S. Sudhakar traced the suspects through digital footprints.
A key tip-off led the team to a lodge in Pallavaram, where the suspects were operating. The police arrested K. Anokraju (31), Alwin Joy (24), B. Saran (29), Joseph Babu (37), and V. Vignesh (22).
Anokraju, a B.Com graduate and cricket coach, along with Joseph, an MCA graduate working at a mobile accessories shop, were reportedly responsible for arranging mule account holders. Saran handled verification of these bank accounts. The police seized six mobile phones and two laptops from the accused.
The gang’s modus operandi involved using Telegram channels to connect with larger fraud networks and enabling them with legitimate-looking bank accounts for illegal fund transfers.
Authorities are continuing the investigation to trace the main fraudsters behind the scam.
