In a major breakthrough, the Karnataka police have arrested three individuals in connection with a large-scale cyber fraud operation that allegedly cheated victims of more than Rs82 crore across 352 cases registered nationwide.
The case was registered by the Cyber Crime Police Station under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a complaint filed by Wilson V.
According to the complaint, the main accused, 43-year-old Jagadeesha C, allegedly persuaded Wilson to open a bank account by promising him a commission. After gaining access to the account, Jagadeesha reportedly took control of it and impersonated Wilson to transfer large sums of money through fraudulent transactions.
Jagadeesha C, an electronics trader, resides at Sharadamma Compound in Sharavathi Nagar, Shivamogga.
Police also arrested two other accused in the case. They have been identified as 39-year-old Arshad, a fish trader from Shankarpur in Chikkamagaluru, and Anantha T (34), a marketing professional from Hosamane in Shivamogga.
Investigators revealed that the group used multiple mule bank accounts to move and launder money obtained through cyber fraud. Police have seized 15 such accounts held under different names.
According to officials, more than Rs14.71 crore was routed through these accounts, which are linked to over 352 fraud complaints reported across the country. The total financial loss associated with these cases is estimated to exceed Rs82 crore.
During the operation, police also confiscated two mobile phones, 11 ATM cards, nine QR code scanners and 15 Airtel SIM cards believed to have been used in the fraud.
The three accused were produced before a magistrate and later remanded to judicial custody.
The arrests were carried out under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Nikhil B and Additional Superintendents of Police Kariyappa A G and Ramesh Kumar.
The investigation team was led by Inspector Manjunath of the Cyber Crime Police Station and included ASI Shekhar N along with constables Kiran Kumar, Chandrashekar, Girish Swami, Andrews and Gautam G N.
Police said efforts are underway to track down other suspects who are still absconding, and the investigation remains ongoing.
