Malkajgiri Cyber Crime Cell Arrests Two Mule Operators in Pan-India Fraud Investigation

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Malkajgiri Cyber Crime Unit dismantles a transnational financial fraud network, arresting two individuals and recovering funds for victims.

Pan-India Network Disrupted: Malkajgiri Cyber Crime Unit Detains Two Individuals Linked to Financial Fraud Schemes

A coordinated law enforcement operation in Hyderabad dismantled a transnational financial fraud network, resulting in the arrest of two individuals who facilitated illicit monetary transfers through compromised banking channels. The investigation, led by the Malkajgiri Cyber Crime Unit, revealed a complex scheme involving multiple fraud mechanisms that collectively defrauded victims of ₹74.4 lakh. The suspects, identified as key mule account holders, provided access to personal bank accounts to offshore criminal entities, enabling the rapid movement and concealment of illicit funds. Both detainees were remanded to judicial custody following appearances before a regional magistrate.

Corporate Recruitment Scam Uncovered

A structured fraud operation targeting job seekers in Hyderabad was dismantled during the investigation. The scheme involved fabricating employment opportunities for a “Business Specialist” role, offering an annual salary of ₹12 lakh. Fraudsters used counterfeit documents, including official-looking appointment letters, to establish credibility. Once the victim was engaged, sequential payments were demanded under pretenses such as processing fees, registration charges, and background verification deposits. The victim transferred ₹3.15 lakh across two transaction cycles before the scam was detected. The primary suspect, Murra Harinath Reddy, was apprehended for supplying personal bank accounts to the syndicate in exchange for commissions.

CBI Impersonation Scheme Results in Major Financial Loss

A separate operation involved a sophisticated digital impersonation tactic, where victims were deceived into surrendering sensitive financial information. A resident and his spouse were contacted via video call by individuals posing as senior Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials. The fraudsters falsely alleged the victims’ involvement in a ₹485 crore money laundering conspiracy, using fabricated legal documents and urgent court alerts to instill fear. Under duress, the couple provided banking details and executed multiple transfers, resulting in the loss of ₹17.10 lakh from the primary victim’s account and ₹54.15 lakh from his spouse’s funds. The money trail was traced to Chikati Sandeep, a resident of NTR district in Andhra Pradesh, who was arrested for managing the fraudulent fund routing. The total amount siphoned through this scheme amounted to ₹71.25 lakh.

Refund Initiatives and Public Awareness Measures

The Malkajgiri Cyber Crime Unit collaborated with banking institutions to recover funds for affected victims. Through expedited legal procedures, court-approved refund orders were issued, returning ₹19.51 lakh to rightful owners. Authorities emphasized that providing bank accounts to unverified parties constitutes a serious legal violation, directly enabling transnational criminal activities. Public advisories highlighted the importance of disregarding unsolicited calls making aggressive legal claims, as legitimate law enforcement agencies do not conduct interrogations or request financial verifications via phone or video calls. Individuals encountering suspicious activity were urged to report incidents immediately to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 to initiate fund freezes.

Conclusion

The case underscores the evolving tactics of cybercriminals and the critical role of interagency collaboration in mitigating financial fraud. Ongoing investigations aim to identify additional perpetrators and trace further illicit transactions linked to the dismantled network.