In a distressing turn of events that highlights the growing menace of cybercrime in urban India, a 38-year-old tailor from east Bengaluru finds himself entangled in a police investigation after his desperate attempt to secure a small loan for his children's education backfired spectacularly. What began as a simple request for financial assistance has spiraled into an alleged cybercrime case involving nearly Rs 9 lakh in fraudulent transactions routed through his bank account.
An Innocent Request Turns Into a Police Summons
Riyaz Vali, a resident of Bharathinagar who has worked diligently at a ladies' tailoring shop in Pulakeshinagar for fifteen years, received an unexpected phone call on January 21 that would dramatically alter his life. The caller identified himself as a police officer from the East Cyber Crime Police Station and instructed Riyaz to appear at the police station on Broadway Road in Shivajinagar. Though the officer assured him there was no need for concern, he provided no explanation for the summons.
"The only time I ever visited a police station was during my passport verification," Riyaz revealed to reporters. "I was so shaken by the call that I walked nearly three kilometres without realising it and reached the police station in a daze."
Childhood Friendship and Financial Desperation
At the police station, Riyaz was astonished to encounter his childhood friend Suhail already present. His confusion deepened as police officials informed him that his bank account had allegedly been utilized to receive money generated through various cybercrimes, with transactions totaling approximately Rs 9 lakh passing through it.
The tailor explained that in January of the previous year, facing urgent financial pressure to pay school fees for his three daughters, he had approached Suhail for a modest hand loan of Rs 10,000. Suhail agreed to help but requested Riyaz's bank account details, claiming he would transfer the money from his chicken business.
"Suhail told me that he was expecting some payments from his business and was facing issues with his own bank account," Riyaz recounted, explaining why he trusted his longtime acquaintance with sensitive financial information.
The Elaborate Financial Deception Unfolds
On the same day Riyaz shared his account details, an astonishing Rs 6 lakh was credited to his account. According to Riyaz's statement, Suhail then escorted him to a bank, filled out a self-withdrawal cheque, and withdrew the substantial sum, handing over only Rs 8,000 to the bewildered tailor while retaining the remainder.
Over the subsequent three days, another Rs 3 lakh was transferred into Riyaz's account through similar mysterious transactions. Suhail again withdrew these funds and kept them for himself. When Riyaz later attempted to return the Rs 8,000 he had received, Suhail allegedly refused, claiming the money had already been expended on school fees.
Police Investigation and Legal Consequences
After verifying Riyaz's claims, police advised him to file a formal complaint. In his detailed statement, the tailor expressed that he only realized his account had been used as a mule account for cybercrime proceeds after authorities contacted him.
A senior police officer disclosed that Suhail had allegedly established contact with a cybercrime syndicate and was supplying mule bank accounts to facilitate their illegal operations. "He has been arrested and is being interrogated to ascertain how long he was involved in the fraud and to identify other mule accounts linked to the racket," the officer confirmed.
Police investigations revealed that Suhail operates a goods carrier business and supplies chicken to various shops. Authorities have registered a case against him under the Information Technology Act and Section 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Cyber Police Advisory: Protecting Yourself from Financial Fraud
This troubling case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities ordinary citizens face in an increasingly digital financial landscape. Cyber police emphasize several crucial precautions:
- Never share your bank account details with anyone, including friends or acquaintances, for receiving or routing money
- Do not permit others to use your bank account for business transactions, withdrawals, or transfers
- Exercise extreme caution regarding requests citing "account issues" or urgent financial needs—these represent common tactics employed by cybercriminals
- Remember that allowing your account to be used for others' transactions can render you legally liable, even if you remain unaware of the criminal activity
- Immediately report any suspicious transactions to your bank and contact the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930
This incident underscores how financial desperation and misplaced trust can be exploited by cybercriminals, transforming well-intentioned individuals into unwitting participants in sophisticated fraud schemes. As digital transactions become increasingly prevalent, such cases highlight the critical importance of financial literacy and cybersecurity awareness among all citizens, particularly those in vulnerable socioeconomic positions.
