In one of the larger coordinated cybercrime crackdowns in recent months, Karnataka Police have arrested 3 individuals for allegedly running a fraud network that cheated victims of over ₹82 crore across India. Officials confirmed the action on 27 February 2026.
The arrests follow 352 complaints registered with cybercrime units nationwide.
Police said the accused were booked under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Modus operandi and accused
The prime accused has been identified as 43-year-old Jagadish C, an electronics trader from Sharadamma Compound in Sharavathi Nagar, Shivamogga. According to police, he allegedly lured a complainant, Wilson V, with the promise of a commission and convinced him to open a bank account. He then took control of the account and, by impersonating the complainant, transferred large sums through fraudulent transactions.
The other 2 arrested are Arshad (39), a fish trader from Shankarpura in Chikkamagaluru, and Ananth T (34), a marketing professional from Hosamane in Shivamogga.
Scale of fraud and seizure
Investigators identified 15 mule bank accounts, opened under false pretences to route illegal funds. These accounts were frozen. Police said more than ₹14.71 crore was routed through these accounts, while the total cheating amount in linked complaints exceeded ₹82 crore nationwide.
Seized items include:
- 2 mobile phones used for coordination
- 11 ATM cards linked to suspect accounts
- 9 QR code scanners allegedly used for deceptive payment captures
- 15 Airtel SIM cards used in fraudulent communications and transfers
All 3 accused were produced before a local magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. Police said more suspects may be involved and the investigation is ongoing.
The case was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station following Wilson V’s complaint. The probe is being led by Inspector Manjunath to trace additional accomplices across multiple states.
Authorities urged citizens to stay alert against unsolicited commission offers or requests to open bank accounts, warning that such tactics are common in mule account scams.
Police also asked potential victims to report cases on the national cybercrime portal or call the toll-free helpline 1930. Experts stressed that early reporting improves chances of recovering funds.
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