Bengaluru, February 21: The Karnataka State Cyber Command has launched a statewide special operation against ‘mule bank accounts,’ resulting in the arrest of 68 key suspects between December 2025 and February 2026. This information was disclosed by the Director General of Police of the Cyber Command, Pranab Mohanty, in an official statement.
Mule accounts are bank accounts exploited by cybercriminals for illegal money transfers, receiving funds, or concealing earnings from criminal activities. These accounts often involve intermediaries known as ‘mule account holders’ or ‘mule herders.’
To combat organized cyber fraud networks, the Cyber Command has initiated a coordinated campaign across Karnataka. This operation, which began last week, is part of broader efforts to dismantle the state’s cybercrime infrastructure.
During the campaign, police identified and dismantled networks of mule herders. These individuals collected multiple mule bank accounts, controlling and misusing them to facilitate fraudulent financial transactions for cybercriminals. Investigations revealed that these herders sold mule accounts to gangs involved in online financial fraud.
According to the official statement, a total of 60 cases have been registered, and 869 mule bank accounts have been identified as being used in cyber fraud. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) has recorded 8,788 complaints against these identified accounts. The total amount involved in these cases is reported to be ₹85.05 crores, with ₹13.43 crores held to prevent further losses.
Under the investigation and search operation, 32 search warrants were obtained, leading to 35 searches at various locations. During these raids, authorities seized 35 ATM cards, 37 passbooks, 80 mobile phones, 28 checkbooks, 22 SIM cards, and 50 other items related to cybercrime.
The Cyber Command stated that this action is part of ongoing efforts to identify and disrupt the financial channels used by cybercriminals, aiming to enhance cybersecurity and financial safety in Karnataka.
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