Karnataka Police Bust Student 'Scholarship' Mule-Account Ring With 5 Arrested in Gadag

Overview

• Cyber crime police registered the case on March 11 and first intercepted two suspects en route to Goa to deliver bank kits tied to eight newly opened accounts.
• Officers seized 11 mobile phones and eight bank kits containing passbooks, ATM cards, linked SIMs and internet-banking credentials for Bank of Maharashtra accounts in Gadag and Haveri.
• The group targeted boys’ hostel students in Gadag with false scholarship promises, deposited ₹2,000 to make the accounts appear legitimate, then took control of the credentials and SIMs.
• The five arrested were identified as Vakdoth Vakeel, Raja (also Raju), Zeeshan Ansari, Akash and Sahil, whom police describe as operatives likely earning commissions within a larger network.
• Police say the mule accounts appear to have moved proceeds from illegal gaming and other cybercrimes, and they are searching for the named handler, Kumar, along with up to three additional suspects.