In a sweeping statewide operation, Karnataka State Cyber Command has nabbed 68 key suspects involved in operating mule bank accounts used by cybercriminals. The crackdown, spanning December 2025 to February 2026, targeted the shadowy networks that facilitate illegal money transfers and laundering of crime proceeds.
Police Director General Pranab Mohanty of the Cyber Command announced the arrests in an official statement, highlighting the role of ‘mule account holders’ or ‘mule herders’—intermediaries who control these accounts for fraudsters. These accounts are pivotal in cyber scams, allowing criminals to move illicit funds without direct exposure.
The coordinated campaign across Karnataka dismantled organized cyber fraud rings, identifying and crippling mule herder networks. These operators collected multiple bank accounts, misused them for fake transactions, and sold them to scam syndicates. Over 60 cases were registered, with 869 mule accounts flagged, linked to 8,788 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal involving a staggering Rs 85.05 crore.
Authorities froze Rs 13.43 crore to prevent further losses. Executing 35 search operations under 32 warrants, teams seized 35 ATM cards, 37 passbooks, 80 mobile phones, 28 chequebooks, 22 SIM cards, and 50 other incriminating items. This action underscores Cyber Command’s relentless push to disrupt financial pipelines exploited by digital crooks, bolstering cybersecurity and financial safety in the state.
As cyber threats evolve, such proactive measures signal Karnataka’s commitment to staying ahead, protecting citizens from the growing menace of online fraud.