CID busts massive mule account racket, 13 masterminds arrested in statewide cyber crime crackdown

Mega operation across Karnataka exposes network supplying mule bank accounts for cyber fraud, betting and illegal gaming; over 42,000 suspicious accounts now under CID scanner.

The Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Cyber Crime Division has uncovered a massive racket involving mule bank accounts used for cyber fraud, leading to the arrest of 13 key masterminds in a coordinated statewide operation.

Acting on intelligence inputs, CID teams conducted simultaneous raids at more than 100 locations across Karnataka on February 6, exposing an organised network that supplied bank account details of innocent individuals to cyber criminals for illegal financial activities.

Investigations revealed that accused persons were collecting personal identity documents and banking details from unsuspecting people, often in exchange for ₹10,000 to ₹20,000, to open or gain access to bank accounts. These accounts were then misused by cyber fraudsters for online scams, betting operations and illegal gaming activities.

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Police said victims whose accounts were misused were often unaware that their ATM cards and bank details were being used to withdraw fraudulent money, leaving them vulnerable to legal and financial trouble.

So far, the CID has identified nearly 42,000 mule accounts across the state, making it one of the largest cyber fraud-linked banking networks unearthed in Karnataka. While earlier investigations focused mainly on tracking these suspicious accounts, the CID has now shifted its focus to those supplying mule account details.

The mega operation was conducted under the leadership of DGP Pranab Mohanty and SP Sharath, with multiple teams deployed simultaneously to crack down on the organised network behind the operation.

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To fast-track the probe, the CID has instructed 29 Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police stations across Karnataka to collect detailed account information within a strict deadline. As part of the first phase, details of 152 accounts have been sought, with plans to systematically verify all 42,000 flagged accounts in the coming days.

Officials stated that this crackdown aims to break the backbone of cyber crime operations by cutting off access to mule accounts, which are critical for illegal money transfers.