Bengaluru Engineering Student's Account Allegedly Used in Rs 7 Crore Cybercrime Network
In a shocking case from Bengaluru, a 23-year-old engineering student has found himself in serious legal trouble after his bank account was allegedly exploited to route nearly Rs 7 crore within just two days as part of an extensive cybercrime operation. The incident began innocently as a favor for a friend but quickly spiraled into a major financial fraud investigation.
Arrest and Allegations of Mule Account Racket
The student was arrested by authorities for allegedly operating a mule account racket and facilitating fraudulent transactions across multiple states. Investigators believe this case reveals a broader criminal network where cybercriminals systematically target vulnerable students, persuading them to surrender their sensitive banking information under false pretenses.
The case first came to light when the young student approached police after discovering his bank account had been unexpectedly frozen. Upon inquiry, bank officials revealed that transactions totaling approximately Rs 7 crore had been processed through his Karnataka Gramina Bank account within a mere 48-hour period, raising immediate red flags about potential criminal activity.
How the Cybercrime Unfolded
In his detailed complaint to police, the engineering student explained that his friend, identified as Ayush, had approached him with a seemingly innocent request. Ayush claimed that his own bank account had been blocked due to insufficient balance and asked for temporary access to the student's account to resolve some urgent financial matters.
Trusting his friend completely, the student made the fateful decision to hand over his complete banking kit: passbook, ATM card, registered SIM card, and all other sensitive banking credentials. Only later did he realize these items had been misused for extensive cybercrime operations, leaving him legally responsible for the massive fraudulent transactions conducted through his account.
Broader Implications and Investigation
Law enforcement officials suspect this case represents just one node in a much wider cybercrime network that specifically preys on students and young adults. The modus operandi typically involves building trust relationships before exploiting banking access for large-scale financial fraud. Authorities are now investigating connections to other similar cases and working to dismantle the entire criminal operation.
This incident serves as a stark warning about the dangers of sharing banking credentials, even with trusted friends, and highlights the sophisticated methods cybercriminals employ to recruit unwitting participants in their illegal financial networks. The investigation continues as police work to identify all parties involved in the Rs 7 crore transaction scheme.
