CID Uncovers Over 42,000 Mule Bank Accounts in Karnataka, 13 Arrested
Statewide cybercrime crackdown reveals large network of bank accounts used for online fraud.
In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has identified more than 42,000 mule bank accounts being used by cyber fraudsters across Karnataka. Thirteen people have been arrested in connection with the operation, officials said on Saturday.
The action was carried out by the Cyber Crime Police wing of the CID. As part of the statewide drive, all 29 Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police stations in Karnataka were instructed to gather details of suspicious bank accounts linked to online fraud cases.
According to the police, cybercriminals paid between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 to account holders in exchange for using their bank accounts to receive illegally obtained money. Based on intelligence inputs, simultaneous raids were conducted at more than 100 locations in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Davanagere, Mangaluru, and Belagavi.
Officials said that many of the account holders were unaware that their bank accounts were being misused. Most of them were daily wage workers who had handed over their account details without understanding the consequences.
“Whenever a bank account surfaced in a cyber fraud case, it led us to the original account holder. Many of them realised only during questioning that their accounts had been used for illegal transactions,” a senior police officer said.
During the raids, the police seized laptops, mobile phones, debit and ATM cards, and SIM cards allegedly used in the fraud operations.
The CID has issued a strong warning to the public, advising people not to share their bank account details, ATM cards, or passwords with anyone. Police stressed that allowing others to use one’s bank account in return for money or commission is a serious criminal offence.
“This operation is the result of months of intelligence gathering and coordination across districts,” the officer added.
