Hyderabad Homemaker Arrested in Mule Account Scam

A homemaker from Begumpet fell victim to a cyber fraud network after coming across an Instagram advertisement promising hefty commissions for providing bank accounts. She initially earned ₹10,000 per month by sharing her account details. Lured by the prospect of higher earnings, she convinced her relatives to provide additional accounts, eventually collecting six accounts and sending them via courier to agents. The operation came to light during an investigation by Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police, leading to her arrest and imprisonment, turning her once respectable life into a distressing ordeal.

Cybercriminals are increasingly using social media platforms to recruit “mule accounts” by offering attractive commissions on current and savings accounts. Investigations revealed that over 200 individuals, including more than 10 women, were arrested in the last five months within the city. According to DCP Aravind Babu, fraud masterminds operate from abroad, using Indian phone numbers, SIM cards, and stolen mobile devices to execute scams. The stolen money is routed through mule accounts and converted into cryptocurrency before being transferred overseas. Despite efforts, authorities face challenges due to the involvement of some banking officials and the difficulty in tracking such accounts.