Police identify 2,900 mule bank accounts in Belagavi used for cyber fraud

Belagavi police uncovered a large-scale cybercrime network after investigators traced around 2,900 mule bank accounts used to dupe innocent victims.

Cyber fraudsters were using these accounts to transfer money from one account to another, illegally, sometimes to offshore accounts. Police suspect this is part of an organised racket. Officers have blocked several mule accounts linked to the fraud, and are examining transaction trails.

The Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Police Station had registered four cases, according to Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabrao. He said investigators were trying to trace the operators behind the network.

Officers said that cybercriminals were targeting unemployed youth and women, convincing them to either open new accounts or share details of their existing bank account, in exchange for a commission. Once they got the details, they used the accounts to move funds generated through cyber fraud.

In one case, a youth from Belagavi allegedly opened nine different bank accounts, and handed them over to cyber operators for a commission. Police found that nearly ₹80 lakh had passed through these accounts.

In another case, a man working in Dubai had allegedly opened a bank account in the name of a self-help group through his mother, but it was later used to route fraudulent transactions.

“Fraudsters made fake promises of work-from-home offers, online job opportunities, and commission-based schemes, making them believe they are participating in legitimate financial activities. No one has been arrested yet,” police said.

Mr. Borase has urged citizens not to share their bank account details, ATM cards, or online banking access with unknown individuals. He warned that it can amount to participating in an offence.

He has appealed to the people to report suspicious job offers, commission-based transfer schemes, or requests to use personal bank accounts to the cybercrime helpline (080-22942475) or to the nearest CEN police station.