HYDERABAD: Two men allegedly helped cybercriminals collect 60–70 bank accounts and SIM cards, enabling a fraud network linked to around 450 cases across India involving transactions worth an estimated ₹60–70 crore, Hyderabad Cybercrime Police said.
Police arrested Gumma Ramesh, 39, and Mudale Anil, 19, both residents of Ramanthapur, on October 8. Investigators seized two mobile phones from them.
Police said the accused allegedly collected bank accounts from students, delivery partners and others in exchange for commissions. The account details and SIM cards were then supplied to cybercriminals.
Commissions used to recruit bank account holders
According to police, Ramesh moved to Hyderabad from Karnataka’s Bidar district with his family because of financial difficulties. He later rented a car and worked as a driver for Rapido and Uber. During this period, he allegedly came into contact with cyber fraudsters.
Ramesh and an accused who remains on the run allegedly approached people in and around Ramanthapur and persuaded them to hand over their bank accounts and SIM cards for commissions.
The group allegedly collected passbooks, debit cards, internet banking credentials and SIM cards. They then sent these items by courier to contacts in Haryana for use in cybercrime, police said.
Anil allegedly opened three savings bank accounts in different banks in exchange for a commission. He then handed over the related credentials to Ramesh. Police said both men knew the accounts and SIM cards would be used for cybercrime.
Old one-rupee note offer leads to ₹7.93 lakh loss
The investigation began after police received a complaint on September 25. The complainant was allegedly offered ₹45 lakh in exchange for an old one-rupee currency note.
The complainant lost ₹7,93,351, police said.
Cybercrime Police registered a case under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act and Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police operation traced links to hundreds of cases
Police apprehended the accused in Ramanthapur under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police R G Siva Maruthi. Inspector M Surendar and his team carried out the operation.
Police said the wider network was linked to around 450 cases across India. Transactions associated with the network were estimated at ₹60–70 crore.
Click Here For The Original Source.
