Representative image for an arrest.
Credit: iStock Photo
Hyderabad: In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) successfully conducted a special interstate operation in Surat, Gujarat, arresting 20 cyber fraudsters involved in over 60 cybercrime cases in Telangana and a staggering 615 cases across India.
Two dedicated teams from TGCSB camped in Surat for 10 days and executed this operation under the Bureau's 'Zero Tolerance' policy against cybercrime. This marks the fifth major operation by the TGCSB Operations Wing to apprehend cyber criminals, according to TGCSB Director Shikha Goel.
The Operations Wing, established to implement a centralized data-driven and strategic approach to interstate cybercrime investigations, focused this operation on seven CCPS cases from Telangana. These cases involved suspicious cash withdrawals, including transactions made via cheques.
As a result, the teams apprehended 14 mule account holders and 6 agents. Initial findings revealed that the accused operated 27 mule accounts with suspicious transactions amounting to Rs 4.37 crore. In Telangana alone, 5 accused withdrew Rs 22,64,500 through cheques.
The accused comprised private employees, businessmen, and one bank employee, a Relationship Manager from DCB Bank's Vapi branch. They were involved in various cyber frauds, including business and investment scams such as trading and part-time job frauds.
The arrested individuals were brought to Telangana on Transit Warrants and are currently lodged in various jails across the state. Further investigation is underway to trace and apprehend additional suspects who remain at large.
"The primary objective of this operation was to disrupt the supply chain of illicit bank accounts used to facilitate cybercrimes. TGCSB remains committed to conducting more such targeted operations across the country to make Telangana a cyber-safe state. The real-time technical support team at TGCSB headquarters worked round the clock with field officers to ensure smooth coordination and execution," added Goel.