Karimnagar police have dismantled a large cyber fraud network that operated through bank mule accounts, arresting 13 individuals, including two bank employees. The operation uncovered illegal transactions totaling Rs138 crore routed through just eight accounts.
The arrests were part of a targeted initiative named ‘Operation Crackdown 1.0’, aimed at identifying and taking action against those supplying mule accounts to cybercriminals. Authorities had identified 24 suspects during preliminary investigations last month, and 13 were taken into custody in connection with eight registered cases.
Among those arrested are RBL Bank manager Bhuvanagiri Kalyan, 52, and cashier Ayesha Begum, 30. Several account holders and coordinators involved in facilitating the fraud were also apprehended.
The accused include individuals from various districts such as Peddapalli, Jagtial, Warangal, and Karimnagar. Police also arrested coordinators who allegedly played a key role in connecting account holders with cyber fraud networks.
All suspects have been charged under sections related to organised crime and cheating in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act.
According to Karimnagar Police Commissioner Gaush Alam, the fraudulent transactions were conducted before the accounts were eventually frozen. Investigators found that the bank employees allegedly violated KYC norms while opening these accounts and worked in collusion with others involved in the scheme.
Police further revealed that account holders and intermediaries received commissions ranging from 0.4% to 2% for allowing their accounts to be used. These accounts enabled cybercriminals to move and withdraw illicit funds.
Officials stated that this crackdown is part of a larger effort to disrupt the financial infrastructure supporting cybercrime networks. Further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
