Victims of cyber fraud can call the 1930 helpline or file a complaint at (cybercrime.gov.in.)
Cyber fraud
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The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has arrested 101 people, including 18 women, in a two-week operation across six southern states and Union Territories, targeting the bank-account networks that keep online fraud running.
The drive began on 23 September and covered Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Keralam and Puducherry. Six teams made up of over 100 bureau personnel were deployed on the ground. Kerala recorded the most arrests at 35, followed by Andhra Pradesh (22), Karnataka (17), Tamil Nadu (14), Telangana (12) and Puducherry (1).
TGCSB Director Shikha Goel said in a press release on 7 October that 19 of those held were agents and 81 were mule account holders. Investigators found that fraudsters used mule accounts to receive stolen money and move it out through ATM withdrawals, bulk transfers and foreign-linked transactions, while account holders and middlemen earned commissions of up to 5 per cent.
The arrests are linked to 51 cases registered at the bureau’s seven cybercrime police stations. So far, investigators have traced 1,172 crime links across India, 206 of them in Telangana, involving roughly ₹17 crore in fraudulent transactions. Fifty of the accused are connected to more than five cases each.
Accused from various backgrounds
The accused came from varied backgrounds, and most of them (82 per cent) were aged between 20 and 50. The largest group, 23 per cent, were self-employed or ran their own businesses, followed by private-sector employees (13 per cent) and homemakers (10 per cent). About 26 per cent had studied up to Intermediate, and 24 per cent were graduates, while 11 per cent were illiterate.
Among those held were a Tata Capital employee who allegedly arranged mule accounts for commission, an ex-serviceman linked to six cases, and an MBA graduate working as a marketing head, who is tied to 15 cases nationwide.
The bureau seized phones, SIM cards, passbooks, and cheque books of accounts used for illegal transactions. Trust accounts opened in the names of NGOs, linked to 60 cases, were also allegedly misused to receive and route money.
This is TGCSB’s second simultaneous multi-state operation. A similar drive in October 2025 had led to 81 arrests. The investigation continues to uncover further inter-state and international links, the bureau said.
The bureau also cautioned the public against fake online trading platforms and “digital arrest” scams, stressing that police, customs or courier officials never demand money or video verification online.
Victims of cyber fraud can call the 1930 helpline or file a complaint at (cybercrime.gov.in.)
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreshta Ladegaam)
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