Bengaluru Gym Trainer's Bank Account Exploited in Major Cyber Fraud Scheme
A 25-year-old gym trainer from Bengaluru has filed a police complaint, alleging that his bank account was illicitly used to funnel proceeds from cyber fraud operations. The case came to light after he began receiving repeated alerts from his bank regarding suspicious transactions, raising serious concerns about financial security in the city.
How the Scam Unfolded: From Trust to Betrayal
K Solomon Robin, a resident of Williams Town near Benson Town and a trainer at a fitness centre in RT Nagar, detailed the events to authorities. In April 2024, his colleague Waseem Akram introduced him to a man named Umar, who was described as a businessman and frequented the gym. Umar later approached Robin for assistance in opening two bank accounts, claiming he needed them for business transactions to circumvent tax liabilities.
Trusting Waseem and Umar, Robin agreed to help. Along with his friend Shailesh, he submitted identification proofs to open accounts at a bank in Banaswadi. Umar allegedly compensated them with Rs 5,000 each and took possession of the linked mobile phones, SIM cards, debit cards, passbooks, and cheque books, effectively gaining full control over the accounts.
Escalating Concerns and Police Intervention
Initially, Robin assumed the accounts were being utilized for legitimate business activities. However, his apprehension grew when he started receiving bank notices requesting details of suspicious transfers. Upon contacting Waseem, he was allegedly advised to disregard and discard these notices, a move that only deepened his worries.
The situation intensified when Robin's personal bank account was frozen, prompting him to seek legal recourse. Recently, the East Cyber Crime police questioned him and revealed that a staggering Rs 16 lakh had been routed through his account within just one month of its opening. This discovery has triggered a broader investigation into the fraud network.
Police Action and Ongoing Probe
In response to the complaint, law enforcement has taken swift action. Waseem Akram has been taken into custody, while Umar is believed to have traveled to Dubai, evading immediate arrest. Police suspect that multiple mule accounts were created as part of this scheme, and they are currently probing the wider network to uncover additional perpetrators and victims.
This case highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud in urban areas like Bengaluru, where unsuspecting individuals can be lured into scams through personal connections. Authorities urge citizens to exercise caution when sharing financial information and to report any suspicious activities promptly to prevent similar incidents.
The investigation continues as police work to dismantle the fraud ring and recover the illicit funds.
