Karnataka State Cyber Command launched a relentless statewide assault on mule banking rackets, detaining 68 key players between December 2025 and February 2026. DG Pranab Mohanty’s statement unveiled the scale of the operation, zeroing in on accounts that cybercriminals hijack for illicit fund flows and concealment.
At the heart are mule herders, who hoard bank accounts and rent them to scam operators for fraudulent transfers. This intensified campaign, part of larger anti-cybercrime initiatives, methodically dismantled these supplier chains thriving on online deception.
Findings revealed 60 cases, 869 tainted accounts linked to 8,788 complaints on the cyber portal, with Rs 85.05 crore at stake—Rs 13.43 crore now frozen. Thirty-five searches under 32 warrants netted 35 ATM cards, 37 passbooks, 80 phones, 28 chequebooks, 22 SIM cards, and 50 cyber tools.
By disrupting these vital arteries, the command strengthens Karnataka’s cyber defenses and financial integrity. The arrests signal zero tolerance, urging vigilance amid sophisticated scams.
This victory paves the way for safer online ecosystems, with authorities vowing sustained pressure on fraud ecosystems.