Mangaluru Police Crack Down on Major Cyber Fraud Operation
In a significant breakthrough against digital crime, the Mangaluru City CEN police have successfully dismantled a large-scale cyber fraud network, arresting six suspects. The operation targeted individuals allegedly providing critical support to international cybercriminals.
Details of the Arrests and Network
Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy announced that the arrests include five suspects based in Hyderabad and one from Mangaluru. The gang was accused of facilitating cyber fraud by supplying 'mule accounts' and one-time passwords (OTPs) to criminals operating from overseas locations.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Sheikh Kareemulla, also known as Rasool, aged 27, from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
- Budidinne Vamshi, alias Guru, aged 21, from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
- Panditi Kranthi Kumar, aged 36, from Hyderabad, Telangana
- Ibrahim, aged 35, from Mulki, Mangaluru
- Bade Srinivas, aged 38, from Hyderabad, Telangana
- Utpala Santhosh Krishna, aged 35, from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
How the Fraud Operated
The case originated from a complaint filed by Mohammed Iqbal from Bunder, Mangaluru. Iqbal reported that his friend Ibrahim had requested his bank account details for purported business purposes. Trusting this request, Iqbal provided his bank passbook, ATM card, cheque book, and the mobile SIM card linked to his account.
Following this complaint, the CEN police registered a case under multiple sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A special investigative team was formed, which analyzed technical evidence pointing to Hyderabad as the operation's base.
The investigation revealed a sophisticated modus operandi: The suspects posted attractive advertisements on social media platforms, offering bank account holders commissions of 4-6% for sharing their account details. Once individuals were persuaded to provide their full banking information and OTPs, this sensitive data was immediately transmitted to cyber fraudsters based overseas.
Evidence Seized and Financial Scale
During raids, police seized substantial evidence including 18 mobile phones, one laptop, 12 SIM cards, 15 cheque books, 12 bank passbooks, and 18 debit cards. Analysis of the seized devices uncovered details of 72 bank accounts involved in the fraudulent network.
Shockingly, 30 of these 72 accounts had more than 272 complaints registered against them on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) nationwide. One particular account was linked to approximately five complaints on the NCRP.
The financial scale of the operation became apparent when investigators discovered that the gang had conducted transactions worth Rs 2 crore in just a single day on February 26. Police are now conducting a detailed investigation into these financial transactions and other cases connected to the bank accounts used in the fraud.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Commissioner Reddy emphasized that the special team's efforts in Hyderabad led to the tracking and arrest of five individuals there, while the sixth was apprehended in Mangaluru. The police are continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of this cyber fraud network and its connections to international criminal elements.
This case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the importance of public vigilance regarding sharing bank account information, even with acquaintances. The Mangaluru police's successful operation demonstrates law enforcement's increasing capability to tackle sophisticated digital fraud networks operating across state boundaries.
