Telangana cyber bureau arrests 101 in six-state sweep on mule accounts linked to ₹17 crore

Illustrative stock image via Unsplash. It does not depict the organisations named.

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau says it arrested 101 people, including 18 women, in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Puducherry. Most rented out bank accounts to fraud gangs for a commission of up to 5%.

01 / What happened

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has arrested 101 people, including 18 women, in a two-week operation that began on 23 September 2026, Telangana Today, Deccan Herald, Deccan Chronicle and The South First reported on 7 October, citing the bureau.

• Where: Kerala 35, Andhra Pradesh 22, Karnataka 17, Tamil Nadu 14, Telangana 12, Puducherry 1. Six special teams of more than 100 TGCSB staff took part.
• Who: the bureau says 19 were agents and 81 were mule account holders, people whose bank accounts were used to receive and move fraud money.
• Scale: the arrests are linked to 51 cases at TGCSB's seven cyber crime police stations, 1,172 linked crime reports across India (206 in Telangana) and about ₹17 crore in fraudulent transactions.
• Phones, SIM cards, bank passbooks and cheque books were seized.

02 / How the accounts were used

According to the bureau, as reported, fraudsters got accounts through agents and middlemen, then used them to receive stolen money and move it on through ATM withdrawals, bulk transfers and transactions linked to overseas accounts. Account holders and middlemen were allegedly paid commissions of up to 5% of the money that passed through.

This is how most cyber fraud money moves in India. Our mule accounts guide explains why renting or selling your bank account, SIM or UPI ID is treated as a crime, even if you never spoke to a victim.

03 / Confirmed vs. claimed

Reported (several outlets, all citing a TGCSB statement of 7 October): the 101 arrests, the state-wise split, the 19 agents and 81 account holders, the 51 cases, 1,172 linked crime reports, ₹17 crore and the commission of up to 5%. We could not find the bureau's press release online. The 19 agents and 81 account holders add up to 100, not 101, and the reports do not explain the difference. The arrests are allegations; no one has been convicted. We are not naming anyone arrested.

04 / What to do

• Never rent out, sell or 'lend' your bank account, debit card, SIM or UPI ID, whatever the offer: a part-time job, a 'gaming' commission or a friend's favour.
• If you already gave someone access, stop it now: change your net banking password and UPI PIN, block the card, tell your bank in writing, and report it on cybercrime.gov.in or at your nearest police station. Coming forward early helps.
• If your account has been frozen after a complaint, read our frozen account guide.
• Lost money to fraud? Call 1930; see also Telangana cyber police contacts.