Karnataka’s cyber warriors struck hard against digital delinquency, arresting 68 prime accused in a massive drive against mule bank accounts from December 2025 through February 2026. The Karnataka State Cyber Command, led by DG Pranab Mohanty, revealed details in a press release, exposing how these accounts serve as conduits for laundering scam money.
Mule herders, the linchpins of these operations, amass bank accounts from unwitting or complicit individuals, then lease them out to fraud networks for anonymous transactions. This statewide blitz, ongoing since last week, is part of a broader strategy to dismantle cybercrime infrastructure.
Investigators uncovered networks peddling these accounts to online fraud gangs. The operation led to 60 FIRs, identification of 869 suspect accounts tied to 8,788 NCRCP complaints totaling Rs 85.05 crore in losses. Swift action held Rs 13.43 crore in limbo, safeguarding victim funds.
Raids at 35 locations yielded a haul of 35 ATM cards, 37 passbooks, 80 phones, 28 chequebooks, 22 SIMs, and dozens of cybercrime artifacts. By choking these financial lifelines, Cyber Command aims to fortify Karnataka’s defenses against the rising tide of cyber offenses, ensuring safer digital transactions for all.
This milestone reflects intensified vigilance, promising a tougher stance on those undermining public trust in banking systems.