Mysuru Police Launch Aggressive Crackdown on Cybercrime Mule Accounts
In a significant move to combat the rising tide of cybercrime, Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Technical Services) P Harishekaran has issued a stern directive to Mysuru city police to identify and take strict action against individuals involved in creating and operating mule accounts. This decisive order came during a comprehensive periodical crime review meeting held recently.
The Mule Account Menace in Cyber Fraud
Mule accounts have emerged as a critical tool for cybercriminals, serving as conduits for routing fraudulent transactions and laundering illicit funds. These accounts, often opened using stolen or fabricated identities, enable criminals to obscure the trail of money obtained through various online scams and financial frauds.
ADGP Harishekaran emphasized that identifying both the creators and operators of these accounts is essential for dismantling cybercrime networks. "Targeting mule accounts at their source will significantly help in bringing down cyber offences," he stated during the review meeting.
Training and Strategy Enhancement
Recognizing the technical nature of these crimes, Harishekaran also directed officers to provide specialized training to Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) in identifying and investigating mule account operations. This capacity-building initiative aims to enhance the police force's ability to tackle sophisticated cyber fraud schemes effectively.
Mixed Crime Statistics: Declines and Concerns
Commissioner of Police Seema Latkar provided context to the meeting, noting that while traditional crimes have seen substantial reductions, cyber offences present a growing challenge. "The ADGP observed a drastic decline in crime figures under various heads over the past two years," Latkar told TOI.
- Major crimes including house burglary, theft, murder, dacoity, and chain-snatching have reduced by nearly 50%
- This positive trend reflects improved policing and community safety measures
- However, cybercrimes continue to escalate, requiring focused attention
The Staggering Financial Impact of Cybercrime
The urgency of the ADGP's directive becomes clear when examining the financial losses Mysuru has suffered:
- In 2025 alone, Mysuru city reported losses of approximately Rs 43 crore across various cyber offences
- Just in January 2026, the city witnessed losses totaling Rs 5.5 crore from cyber fraud
- These figures highlight the escalating threat and economic damage caused by online criminal activities
Comprehensive Crime Review and Additional Directives
The periodical review covered multiple critical crime areas, demonstrating the police department's holistic approach to public safety:
- Conviction performance across various case categories
- Violent crimes including murder and dacoity
- Offences against women and children
- Cases registered under the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act
- Financial fraud and cybercrime investigations
Sources revealed that ADGP Harishekaran issued additional instructions beyond the cybercrime focus:
- Police were directed to remain alert and vigilant at all times
- Surveillance mechanisms must be strengthened across the city
- Prompt action against drug peddling networks was emphasized
High-Level Participation in Crime Review
The meeting saw participation from senior police officials, indicating the importance placed on these crime prevention strategies:
- DCP (Crime and Traffic) KS Sundar Raj attended the proceedings
- Assistant Commissioners of Police participated in discussions
- Police Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors from various stations were present
- This multi-level involvement ensures directives reach all operational levels
The ADGP's focused approach on mule accounts represents a strategic shift in combating cybercrime, moving beyond just addressing individual fraud cases to targeting the infrastructure that enables these crimes. As Mysuru continues to balance celebrating reductions in traditional crimes with addressing new digital threats, this directive marks a crucial step in adapting policing strategies to 21st-century criminal challenges.
