Bengaluru Mother-Son Duo Arrested for Operating Massive Cybercrime Network
Police in Bengaluru have uncovered a sprawling cybercrime operation run by a young college dropout and his mother. The duo allegedly managed thousands of mule bank accounts, funneling nearly Rs 24 crore in illicit funds for a Dubai-based mastermind.
Desperation Leads to Criminal Empire
Mohammed Uzaif, a 22-year-old BCom dropout, turned to cybercrime seeking quick money. He reportedly earned over Rs 25 lakh annually by operating what became a lucrative money-muling pipeline. His mother, Sabana Abdul Bari, actively assisted him in managing approximately 4,200 mule accounts.
A special police team from Hulimavu arrested both individuals recently. They now remain in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison. Investigators describe their operation as sophisticated and far-reaching.
International Connections and Massive Scale
The network extended beyond Bengaluru. Police arrested nine additional youths from Delhi who allegedly helped Uzaif manage accounts, withdraw cash from ATMs, and courier debit cards to Dubai. Together, the eleven accused operated nearly 9,000 mule accounts.
These accounts facilitated transactions worth a staggering Rs 240 crore, which authorities have frozen. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh confirmed the gang's connection to at least 864 cybercrime cases nationwide.
The Dubai-based kingpin directing this operation is Prem Taneja. Mumbai police previously arrested Taneja in connection with the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. He remains at large despite the recent arrests in India.
Operation Tactics and Seizures
Deputy Commissioner of Police M Narayana explained how the duo recruited account holders. They frequented government hospitals, particularly labor wards, and various colleges. There, they persuaded people to open bank accounts for commissions ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000.
Uzaif posed as a businessman opening accounts in others' names to avoid taxes. After collecting passbooks, debit cards, and cheque books, the mother-son team forwarded these documents to associates in Delhi. They also purchased SIM cards using the identities of these individuals.
Police seizures reveal the operation's scale and the duo's lavish lifestyle. Authorities recovered 242 debit cards, 58 mobile phones, 531 grams of gold ornaments, Rs 4.9 lakh in cash, nine wristwatches, 33 cheque books, 21 passbooks, a digital payment ring, and a cryptocurrency book.
Path to Cybercrime
Uzaif's journey into cybercrime began with personal tragedy and opportunity. His father died during the COVID-19 pandemic. An expert in online gaming, Uzaif initially earned about Rs 20,000 by posting negative comments to block a gaming app at developers' request.
Seeing easy money, he continued this work. Eventually, those handling the app suggested he contact Prem Taneja for "big-time" earnings. They even arranged an online meeting between the two in April 2021.
Uzaif and his mother traveled to Dubai at least a dozen times to meet Taneja in person. Their collaboration quickly expanded into the massive network police have now dismantled.
Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Crime
The illicit earnings supported an extravagant lifestyle. Uzaif reportedly purchased shoes worth around Rs 1 lakh and two wristwatches valued at approximately Rs 15 lakh each. He lived with his mother in JP Nagar's HM World Apartment, paying Rs 60,000 monthly rent.
Police estimate Uzaif earned at least Rs 25 lakh annually from operating these mule accounts. The investigation continues as authorities work to trace all funds and identify additional network participants.
