KHAMMAM: The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), in coordination with the Law & Order Police of the Khammam unit, conducted a special enforcement drive against cyber fraud facilitators across the district on September 2 and 3.
The operation covered multiple bank branches, ATM centres and suspect locations, focusing on mule accounts, suspicious withdrawals, financial channels and people suspected of facilitating cyber fraud.
Probe points to local network of mule accounts
The operation followed two cases registered at V.M. Banjara police station and Sathupalli police station. The cases involved people from Khammam district who allegedly provided their bank accounts and credentials as mule accounts to receive and route proceeds of cyber fraud.
The accounts were also used for multiple transactions to conceal the movement of funds and facilitate illegal online gaming-related pay-ins and pay-outs through Telegram groups allegedly operated in coordination with China-based operators.
The cases were later transferred to TGCSB for further investigation and re-registered as Crime Nos. 49/2026 and 50/2026 at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Headquarters, TGCSB. Four accused were arrested in Crime No. 49/2026.
During the investigation, police established links to Khammam and multiple financial transactions, indicating the possible presence of an organised local network facilitating cyber fraud and related financial activities.
On September 2, police arrested Badisa Murali Krishna, son of Venkateswara Rao, and Vadlamudi Sainivas, son of Venkateswarao. Police found that the two had provided 10 mule bank accounts to facilitate cyber fraud transactions.
A total of 52 accused had previously been arrested in the two cases.
Analysis identifies hundreds of suspicious accounts
TGCSB identified 121 mule accounts across 30 bank branches, 273 accounts linked to high-value ATM withdrawals, 12 accounts involved in cheque withdrawals above ₹20,000 and 25 suspect locations across the Khammam unit.
The accounts and locations were linked to several cybercrime cases registered across India and Telangana. The analysis found transactions worth ₹7.84 crore, of which ₹6.23 crore was disputed.
Based on the analysis, TGCSB deployed 11 teams comprising 40 police officers for the special drive.
The operation resulted in the registration of 25 FIRs across eight police stations. Seven FIRs were registered at Khammam II Town police station and seven at Khanapuram Haveli police station. Four were registered at Khammam I Town police station, while Khammam III Town and Khammam Rural police stations registered two each.
Karepally, Nelakondapally and Kamepally police stations registered one FIR each.
Earlier drive led to 75 arrests and 25 arrests
In February 2026, TGCSB conducted “Operation Crackdown 1.0” and identified 75 mule bank accounts across six bank branches in the Khammam unit.
Based on those findings, 75 FIRs were registered, leading to the arrest of 25 accused.
The profession-wise profile of those arrested included 10 people engaged in business, nine labourers, six private-sector employees, six unemployed people and four former CSB Bank employees, besides others.
The latest operation was conducted under the supervision of B Sai Sri, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crimes, TGCSB, in coordination with Sunil Dutt, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Khammam.
A total of 11 teams comprising 40 police personnel were deployed under the operational leadership of K.V.M. Prasad, DSP, TGCSB; Ch. R. V. Phaneendar, SHO, Cyber Crime Police Station, Khammam; and Venkataiah, DSP, D4C Suryapet.
TGCSB to examine transaction trails
The analysis and verification carried out by field teams during the operation will be used for further investigation and follow-up action.
TGCSB will examine mule accounts, transaction trails, ATM and cheque withdrawals, mobile numbers, devices, beneficiaries and transaction counterparties to trace the flow of funds, identify account handlers and facilitators, and establish links with wider interstate cybercrime networks.
TGCSB said the operation was aimed at preventing cybercrime and ensuring that Khammam did not emerge as a cybercrime hub.
The bureau advised people not to lend or share their bank accounts, ATM cards, personal identification numbers, one-time passwords or banking details. It also warned people against opening or providing accounts to others for commissions, saying such accounts could be misused for cybercrime and lead to police action and legal consequences.
TGCSB Director Shikha Goel, IPS, said the bureau remained committed to identifying and disrupting financial networks used by cyber fraudsters through continuous monitoring and analysis of mule accounts, suspicious transactions and linked financial activities.
She said misuse of banking channels for cyber fraud would be dealt with according to law and that TGCSB would continue to work with concerned agencies to prevent the misuse of Telangana’s financial system for cybercrime.
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