TG cops arrest 101 in inter-state cybercrime crackdown

Hyderabad: The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), in one of its largest actions against cybercrime, arrested 101 people, including 18 women, across six states and a Union territory. During a two-week operation, the Bureau traced fake transactions worth around Rs 17 crore.

The operation, which commenced on September 23, covered Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Puducherry, targeting individuals and networks involved in various forms of cyber-enabled financial crimes worth Rs 17 crore traced through mule bank accounts, said TGSCB Director Shikha Goel on Wednesday. Police officials said over 100 TGCSB personnel, organised into six special teams, were involved in the pan-southern region operations. The arrests were made from Kerala (35), Andhra Pradesh (22), Karnataka (17), Tamil Nadu (14), Telangana (12) and Puducherry (1). According to TGCSB, 19 of those arrested were identified as agents and 81 as mule-account holders. Several mobile phones, SIM cards, bank passbooks, and cheque books allegedly used in fraudulent transactions were seized. Account holders and intermediaries were allegedly paid commissions of up to 5% of the amount routed through their accounts. The investigation has so far identified 1,172 cybercrime links across India, including 206 linked to Telangana. The arrests are connected to 51 cases registered across TGCSB's 7 Cyber Crime Police Stations. Shikha Goel said: “This is the second simultaneous multi-state operation led by TGCSB and demonstrates the Bureau's continued efforts to identify, trace, and apprehend cybercrime networks operating across state and exploiting multiple jurisdictions.”

She said: “50 of the 101 arrested accused have more than five crime links each, pointing to the wider reach of the networks under investigation. Mule accounts were allegedly used to receive, transfer, and withdraw fraudulent funds through methods, including ATM withdrawals, bulk bank transfers, and overseas-linked transactions.”

TGCSB said accounts were opened in the names of trusts, and NGOs were allegedly misused to receive and transfer cybercrime proceeds and were linked to 60 cases across India.

The Bureau said that 82% of those arrested were aged 20 to 50, and 17% were above 50. By occupation, business or self-employment was the largest group at 23%, followed by private employment (13%), homemakers (10%), drivers and operators (7%), and sales and marketing (5%). Educationally, 26% completed Intermediate education, 24% were graduates, 16% had secondary education, and 11% were uneducated. Diploma or ITI holders were 7%, those with primary education 4%, and postgraduates and those with professional or other qualifications such as BTech and Nursing 3% each.

Among those arrested are private employees, an ex-serviceman, a money-exchange operator, an MBA graduate working as a marketing head, and persons allegedly linked to multiple cybercrime cases.

TGCSB sources said the network shares data, crime links, and contacts across states, and that a large-scale operation is being run from international networks.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MM Farooqui

[email protected]

M M Farooqui, senior correspondent with interest in writing a range of stories about Hyderabad and its Purana Sheher. An experienced journalist specializing in departments including Heritage, Transport, Municipal Corporation, Majlis among others with over six years of writing expertise. When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time in eating Hyderabadi cuisines, Mughlai, Chinese, exploring new things and listening to songs and qawwalis. Farooqui is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing with six years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres. Farooqui’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

Read More