Bengaluru: A young engineering student in Bengaluru has found himself entangled in a major cybercrime case after allegedly allowing a friend to use his bank account, which police say was later used to route nearly Rs 7 crore in fraudulent transactions.
The case, now under investigation by the North Division Cyber Police Station, highlights the growing misuse of personal bank accounts in organised cyber fraud networks and the legal risks involved in sharing sensitive financial credentials.
Friendship turns costly
According to the police complaint, the student — who is pursuing engineering at a reputed college in the city — had been acquainted for nearly a year with a person identified as Ayush. The two reportedly shared a cordial relationship before the incident unfolded.
In November 2025, Ayush allegedly informed the student that his own bank account had been blocked due to insufficient balance and requested temporary use of the student’s account. Trusting his friend, the student reportedly agreed to help.
Police sources said the student shared access details of his account with Karnataka Gramin Bank. The documents and credentials allegedly shared included the ATM-linked Airtel SIM card, net banking user ID and password. These details were reportedly sent by post.
Ayush later confirmed receipt of the documents through WhatsApp messages, according to the complaint.
Investigators suspect that the account was then used as a conduit for large-scale cyber fraud transactions over the following months.
Massive transactions trigger alarm
The matter came to light when the student was contacted by his bank regarding unusually high-value transactions. Officials reportedly informed him that suspicious transactions linked to cyber fraud activities had been detected through his account.
Police sources stated that nearly Rs 7 crore had been routed through the account in multiple transactions. The volume and pattern of transfers raised red flags within the banking system, prompting immediate action.
Following the detection, the student’s bank account was blocked to prevent further transactions.
Realising that his account had allegedly been misused in what appeared to be a large cybercrime operation, the student approached the police and filed a complaint.
Based on his statement, a case has been registered against Ayush and others suspected to be involved in the operation.
Probe into wider cyber fraud network
Investigators believe that the case may be part of a larger cyber fraud network that uses unsuspecting individuals’ bank accounts to launder illicit funds. Such accounts are often referred to as “mule accounts”, where money obtained through online scams is temporarily parked and then transferred to other destinations to obscure the trail.
Police are examining digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats, bank transaction records and courier details, to determine the sequence of events and the level of involvement of each accused.
Officials said they are also coordinating with banking authorities to trace the origin and destination of the funds. The focus is on identifying whether the transactions are linked to online investment scams, phishing frauds, job rackets or other forms of cybercrime.
The student’s role is also under scrutiny, as sharing bank credentials — even with a known acquaintance — may attract legal consequences if negligence or complicity is established.
Legal and financial implications
Legal experts note that knowingly or negligently sharing bank account details, ATM-linked SIM cards or online banking credentials can amount to serious violations under cybercrime and financial fraud laws. Even if the account holder claims ignorance, investigators assess whether due diligence was exercised.
Police have urged citizens, especially students and young professionals, not to share their bank account information, OTPs, passwords or SIM cards under any circumstances.
“Even helping a friend by giving access to your bank account can land you in serious trouble. Once funds flow through your account, you become part of the transaction trail,” a senior police official said.
Authorities added that awareness campaigns are being intensified to educate the public about emerging cyber fraud tactics.
Cautionary tale for youth
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how misplaced trust and lack of financial awareness can have severe consequences. With cyber fraud cases rising across the country, law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned against allowing third parties to operate personal bank accounts.
Police said further investigation is under way to identify the full extent of the fraud and apprehend those responsible. Appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings.
As the probe progresses, officials have reiterated that safeguarding personal banking information is a fundamental responsibility, and even a seemingly harmless favour can escalate into a multi-crore legal nightmare.