Mysuru Police Arrest Two in Major Cyber Fraud Case
In a significant breakthrough, the Mysuru district police have dismantled an all-India network of cyber fraudsters while investigating a case registered at the district cybercrime police station. Two suspects have been arrested from Maharashtra, and authorities are actively searching for another absconding suspect.
Details of the Arrest
Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi announced on Tuesday that the arrested individuals were managing 56 mule bank accounts, which were allegedly used to defraud 196 victims in various cybercrime cases across the country. Investigators estimate that approximately Rs 189 crore was siphoned off from victims through multiple fraud schemes, including investment scams, job fraud, forex-related fraud, and other online cheating methods. All 56 bank accounts have been frozen.
Case Origin
The investigation began on January 27 when Jitendra Kumar Khandelwal, a gold trader from KR Nagar, reported that unknown individuals contacted him via WhatsApp. They convinced him to pay Rs 13.7 lakh for 100 grams of gold at a reduced rate of Rs 600 per gram but defrauded him without delivering the gold.
Suspects Identified
During the probe, authorities identified three suspects: Amit Singh from Punjab, and Yatin Ramesh Jain and Mohammad Shadab Anjum, both from Maharashtra. Acting on a tip-off, a cybercrime police team led by DSP R Srikanth and Inspector Sunil SP arrested Yatin and Anjum from their residences in Maharashtra. The prime accused, Amit Singh, remains at large.
Modus Operandi
The accused allegedly opened 56 bank accounts using identity documents of labourers in Maharashtra to receive proceeds from victims’ accounts. So far, about 196 cyber complaints have been filed against them across various states, including 12 in Karnataka, with losses estimated at Rs 189.5 crore.
Investigation Ongoing
An investigation is underway to determine how the three suspects collaborated and to identify any other individuals involved in the cybercrimes. No money has been recovered yet, but the bank accounts have been blocked to facilitate further investigation.
