Copyright thehindu
Eighty one individuals, including seven women, were arrested by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) in a first-of-its-kind coordinated cybercrime crackdown spanning five southern States. The 25-day operation, conducted through October, targeted organised online fraud networks operating across India and resulted in seizures of critical digital evidence, fake financial instruments and communication tools. The large-scale operation covered Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, with 28 arrests in Kerala, 23 in Maharashtra, 13 in Karnataka, 10 in Andhra Pradesh and seven in Tamil Nadu. Among the arrested are individuals from varied professional and educational backgrounds. Three of the arrested were found to be bank employees — Vysakh, 28, a sales executive with IDFC Bank from Kozhikode; Dattatreya, 37, branch manager of Bandhan Bank from Rajamahendravaram and Shanmuka Anjaneyulu, 26, a Federal Bank employee from Vijayawada — directly involved in enabling illegal financial activity, while others ranged from diploma holders and business professionals to delivery workers, students and healthcare staff. Those taken into custody include Pranav Prakash, a 26-year-old private employee from Kozhikode; Gajendran Subramanyan, 39, an accountant from the Kilpauk Audit Office in Chitoor; Shiv Dilip Wakale, 24, a supervisor at Excide Industries in Maharastra; Lissy VO, 52, a businesswoman from Ernakulam, Kerela; Mchroofa PP, 40, a homemaker from Malappuram, Kerala and Shoeb Khan, 28, a software employee from Mysore. Investigations revealed that 17 accused were agents or facilitators in cyber fraud operations, 11 were involved in cheque and cash withdrawals amounting to nearly ₹34.7 lakh, and 53 served as ‘mule account’ holders who received commissions of up to 5% for allowing the use of their accounts in fraudulent transactions. Police also seized 84 mobile phones, 101 SIM cards and 89 bank passbooks and cheque books linked to these scams. TGCSB officials said the accused had collectively enabled more than ₹95 crore in fraudulent transactions, linked to at least 754 crime links across India, including 128 cases traced to Telangana. Twelve of the accused were connected to more than 30 separate crimes each, while 54 others were linked to over five cases. Multiple bank accounts have been frozen and the process of refunding victims has begun in coordination with financial institutions. Preliminary investigations also indicate possible connections between some accused and individuals operating from outside India. Look-Out Circulars (LOCs) have been initiated for suspects believed to be based abroad. The arrests made under this operation are linked to 41 cases registered under the seven TGCSB Cyber Crime Police Stations (CCPS). Calling the arrests a major step in dismantling cybercrime infrastructure, TGCSB Director Shikha Goel emphasised that TGCSB’s ongoing focus is on breaking the supply chain, targeting the agents, facilitators and financial intermediaries who enable fraud call-centre networks, many of which operate internationally. The Bureau urged citizens to stay vigilant against emerging scams, particularly fake online trading and ‘digital arrest’ frauds, and to report suspicious activity through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in.
