The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau headquarters in Hyderabad has arrested two persons for their involvement in an online scam worth Rs 175 crore.
The accused, Mohammed Shoeb Tauqeer, 34, and Mahmood Bin Ahmed Bawazir, 49, were arrested on August 24 following an ex officio complaint filed by the Cyber Security Bureau.
“The Cyber Security Bureau’s data analytics team has identified suspicious activities related to six bank accounts in a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Shamsheergunj. On closer investigation, it was found that there was a massive inflow of funds through these accounts within a short period of time (March-April 2024). Further investigation revealed about 600 complaints related to these accounts, indicating a large-scale cyber fraud,” the officials said in a press release.
The investigation revealed that a Dubai-based mastermind with five accomplices targeted vulnerable individuals. “Their strategy was to lure people into opening bank accounts and using them for illegal activities such as cybercrime and hawala transactions. These account holders were offered commissions for their participation,” the officials added.
Mohammed Shoeb Tauqeer played a crucial role in opening the bank accounts and forging the required documents. He also facilitated the collection of signatures of account holders on cheques which were later misused. Mahmood Bin Ahmed Bawazir is said to have been one of the accomplices who withdrew money on the instructions of the mastermind. He is also said to have distributed the money to various people through designated agents.
The Cyber Security Bureau urges the public to exercise caution and not to open bank accounts for others or engage in suspicious financial transactions.
“If you suspect that you have already inadvertently opened a ‘mule account’, immediately report it to the National Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or by calling 1930,” the press release said.
