Karimnagar police bust cybercrime network, arrest 13 including RBL officials

Karimnagar police busted a major cybercrime network involving illegal transactions worth Rs 138 crore using mule accounts. Thirteen persons, including RBL officials, were arrested. The gang operated through coordinators, mediators and account holders to carry out fraudulent transactions.

Karimnagar: Karimnagar police busted a huge cybercrime network and arrested 13 persons, including Ratnakar Bank Limited (RBL) officials.

According to preliminary investigation, the gang was suspected to be involved in the illegal transaction of about Rs 138 crore by using mule bank accounts. While Rs 12.25 crore was transacted through virtual accounts, Rs 125 crore was transacted by using mule accounts of RBL.

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Producing the accused before the media here on Friday, Commissioner of Police Gaush Alam explained the modus operandi of the gang.

RBL bank manager from Hanamkonda, Bhuvanagi Kalyan and another officer Ayesha Begam of Karimnagar, Anumandla Ranjit, Alisetti Mallesham, Boga Rakesh, Bandi Pranav and account holders Vibudi Ram Kumar, Natharla Srinivas, Karre Raju, Kalleda Mahender, Kondra Narahari and Kalleda Rajesh were arrested.

Based on the complaints, police began investigation by registering the case under BNS Sections 112, 318 (4) and IT Act 66-D.

Police came to know about these facts while investigating the fraud carried out through virtual accounts of Ratnakar Bank Limited (RBL) and a co-operative society.

The gang appeared to have followed a three-stage strategy including coordinators, mediators and account holders.

While coordinators would monitor the opening of mule accounts, mediators would take the initiative to open mule bank accounts by offering money to account holders. Account holders would hand over their bank account details to fraudsters for illegal transactions.