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Hyderabad, Nov 9 (Najaf Ali Shoukat-PMI): In a major breakthrough against organized cybercrime, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has arrested 81 cybercriminals, including seven women, during a 25-day multi-state operation carried out in five southern states — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
According to officials, this is the first-ever coordinated cybercrime crackdown of its kind launched by TGCSB across South India. The operation was aimed at dismantling interstate networks engaged in online financial fraud, phishing, mule accounts, and SIM card misuse.
Details of the Operation
The arrests include 28 accused from Kerala, 23 from Maharashtra, and 10 each from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The accused were involved in 754 cybercrime links across the country, including 128 in Telangana, involving an estimated ₹95 crore in fraud.
Authorities seized 84 mobile phones, 101 SIM cards, and 89 bank passbooks and cheque books used in illegal transactions.
Key Findings
Investigations revealed that the accused belonged to diverse professional backgrounds — including banking, IT, private sector, education, and healthcare.
Among those arrested were:
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A Sales Executive from IDFC Bank linked to 106 cybercrime cases,
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An employee of Federal Bank,
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A Branch Manager from Bandhan Bank,
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An Accountant from the Kilpauk Audit Office, Chennai, connected to 31 cases, and
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A Diploma holder in Computer Operations involved in 96 cases.
Officials said Look-Out Circulars (LOCs) have been issued against suspects based abroad who coordinated cybercrime operations from overseas locations.
Massive Financial Trail
Out of the total accused, 17 acted as agents, 11 handled cheque and cash withdrawals worth ₹34.7 lakh, and 53 served as mule account holders, earning up to 5% commission per transaction. Several bank accounts have been frozen, and authorities are working with banks to initiate refund processes for victims.
Officials Commend Team Effort
TGCSB Director Shikha Goel, IPS, praised the dedicated efforts of Additional SP Biksham Reddy and DSPs K.V. Surya Prakash, S.V. Hari Krishna, K.V.M. Prasad, Y. Venkateshwar Rao, K. Giri Kumar, N. Venugopal Reddy, B. Ashok, A. Subash Chandra Bose, and Nandiram for successfully executing the operation across multiple states.
“This coordinated operation demonstrates Telangana’s leadership in cybercrime enforcement. TGCSB is committed to dismantling every link that supports these fraud networks,” said Director Shikha Goel IPS
Public Awareness Advisory
The Bureau urged citizens to remain vigilant against fake investment schemes, digital arrest scams, and phishing calls, and to avoid sharing OTPs or bank details with unknown individuals.
Suspicious activities can be reported via the Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in. (pressmediaofindia.com)
