Karnataka Police have arrested three persons in connection with a massive cyber fraud network that allegedly duped victims of more than Rs 82 crore across 352 cases registered nationwide.
The Cyber Crime Police Station registered the case under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a complaint filed by Wilson V.
Account misused for large-scale fraud
According to police, the prime accused, 43-year-old Jagadeesha C, an electronics trader residing at Sharadamma Compound in Sharavathi Nagar, allegedly lured Wilson into opening a bank account by promising commission. He then gained control of the account and impersonated Wilson to transfer large sums fraudulently.
The other two accused have been identified as Arshad (39), a fish trader from Shankarpur in Chikkamagaluru, and Anantha T (34), a marketing professional from Hosamane in Shivamogga.
Police investigations revealed that over Rs 14.71 crore was routed through 15 mule bank accounts held in different names. These accounts were allegedly linked to 352 cyber fraud complaints across the country, with total reported losses exceeding Rs 82 crore.
Devices and bank instruments seized
During the operation, police seized two mobile phones, 11 ATM cards, nine QR code scanners and 15 Airtel SIM cards allegedly used in the fraudulent transactions.
The accused were produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.
The arrests were carried out under the direction of Superintendent of Police Nikhil B and Additional Superintendents of Police Kariyappa A G and Ramesh Kumar. Inspector Manjunath of the Cyber Crime Police Station led the investigation team.
Police stated that efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend other suspects involved in the racket.