Cyber fraud cases are rising across Telangana and investigators are now focusing on the banking system. They say that banks are being misused through forged documents and mule accounts. The cybercrime wing of the Cyberabad police has begun a targeted action against bank staff who are suspected of helping cybercriminals. Officers say this effort is exposing a “hidden layer” of cybercrimes.
Under Operation Insider, which began about two months ago, four bank officials have been arrested in three separate cases. The arrests include two branch managers and staff who allegedly opened current accounts without proper checks and accepted commissions from fraudsters. Those arrested are Bandhan Bank field officers Nayanala Rakesh and Kondragunta Srikanth Kumar, Bandhan Bank branch manager Nitin Kishore Mishra and Yes Bank branch manager Pika Ajay Kumar. A Prisoner in Transit warrant was executed. A regional manager and another bank manager have also been named in a case and are currently absconding.
Cybercrimes DCP Sai Sri said the focus has now moved from only catching cybercriminals to addressing the systems that support their crimes. She said, “We are going aggressively after bankers involved in fraud because they play a key role in facilitating the crime. Once we identify the people responsible for opening mule accounts, we go to the branch and arrest them no questions asked.” She added that smaller private sector banks are increasingly seen as offenders.
She also noted the difference in how banks treat regular customers and fraudsters. She said, “When an ordinary citizen goes to open a bank account, officials insist on multiple documents. Why is this diligence abandoned when cybercriminals walk in? These bank employees are trained before being hired. It is their duty to stop such accounts from being opened.”
The crackdown aims to hold bank staff accountable and create strong deterrence. Authorities believe that fear of legal consequences is necessary to prevent future collusion between bank staff and criminals.
Alongside enforcement, preventive steps are being put in place. Banks are being asked to improve red flag detection, inform police quickly, and take part in awareness programmes. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau is also pushing for the use of MuleHunter AI. This is a Reserve Bank of India tool that uses artificial intelligence to track and block mule accounts.
TGCSB Director Shikha Goel said that working with banks is a key part of fighting cybercrime. She said, “We are working closely with banks through coordination meetings and awareness programmes. Action is being taken where involvement of bank staff is found.”
Hyderabad Cybercrime DCP Dara Kavitha said the commissionerate has written to the Reserve Bank of India to request regular sensitisation sessions for bank staff across the state. She said, “The meetings have now begun, with police sharing case insights and preventive measures.” Details of cases involving specific banks are also being shared with warnings of strict action for any involvement.
Banks are also being asked to take part in local outreach to educate customers directly.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau is preparing a six week cyber awareness campaign with the largest public sector bank in India. The campaign is expected to begin in the first week of December. It will focus on students and vulnerable groups. Each week will highlight a different type of cyber fraud.
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