₹1 Lakh Scam Unveils ₹152 Crore Cyber Crime Ring: Nationwide Operation Busts Mule Accounts

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Cyber Fraud Network Spanning 14 States Uncovered Through Investment Complaint

In a significant breakthrough, authorities have disrupted a vast cyber fraud network that spanned 14 states, following a complaint filed by a victim who lost over $1,400 in an online investment scheme.

The Network’s Operations

The network, estimated to have amassed over $15.2 million, relied on a complex system of mule accounts to facilitate its operations.

According to Professor Triveni Singh, “Cybercriminals are increasingly relying on social engineering tactics, fake investment platforms, and fabricated digital identities to manipulate victims.”

The ordeal began in January 2025, when a private sector employee from Nizamabad, India, approached the local police after being duped out of ₹1.04 lakhs (approximately $1,400) through an online investment platform promising unusually high returns.

Investigation and Arrests

Initially, the victim received small profits on minor investments, but this eventually led to a gradual increase in deposits, culminating in the loss of a substantial amount.

During the subsequent investigation, police officials froze the account in question, which was held by Mohammad Abdul Jawed, and detained him for questioning.

Jawed revealed that he was merely a facilitator, with his actual handler, identified as Nithish, controlling the account remotely.

The Central Node Account

Further digging led authorities to discover a crucial account, 56820000100031001, linked to multiple cybercrime cases across various states.

This account emerged as a central node in the network, facilitating investment scams, fake-call frauds, and other social engineering operations.

Law Enforcement Response

Notably, it had previously surfaced in June 2024 on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, where a victim from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, had lost nearly ₹4 lakhs in an investment fraud.

In response, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau launched “Crackdown 1.0,” a special operation aimed at identifying and dismantling mule account networks involved in cyber frauds.

Impact and Future Measures

During the operation, investigators recovered data related to 13 bank accounts from Nithish’s mobile phone, which were linked to suspicious transactions worth approximately ₹31 crores.

Subsequent analysis revealed that these accounts were connected to the aforementioned account, 56820000100031001, and were primarily opened in the same private bank.

Of the 106 accounts examined, 46 were allegedly linked to complaints, highlighting the scope of the network’s activities.

The investigation also uncovered heart-wrenching stories of victims from across the country, including an IT professional from Noida, a homemaker from Bihar’s Buxar district, and a government employee from Hyderabad.

Each had fallen prey to different types of cyber-enabled scams, emphasizing the need for enhanced awareness and protection measures.