Ramkumar and Jayaraj
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Cyber Crime Wing of the Central Crime Branch, Chennai, has arrested two men from Tirupur and Thoothukudi who were operating as mule accounts for an alleged Malaysia-based cyber fraudster and reportedly swindled ₹2.49 crore from an elderly woman in an online trading scam.The police said that a 70-year-old woman from Chennai was cheated out of ₹2.49 crore by fraudsters operating through a fake investment platform named HEMSecurities. The victim was enticed via WhatsApp to install a fraudulent trading application, where fabricated profits were displayed. She was then persuaded to transfer large sums of money to unlock these supposed profits. Between December 2024 and January 2025, she transferred a total of ₹2.49 crore in nine transactions to eight different bank accounts. When she attempted to withdraw the money, her requests were blocked, and she was asked to make further deposits.Based on her complaint, a case was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Central Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police. The investigation revealed that a Karur Vysya Bank account belonging to Hotel Sri Sri Sai Krishna, Tirupur, operated by Ammalu Kutti, was used to route the fraudulent funds. On further inquiry, it came to light that she had handed over the account kit and credentials to Jayaraj of Tirupur, who in turn passed them to Ramkumar of Thoothukudi for commission. Both were found to be actively involved in opening multiple mule bank accounts and circulating them among fraud syndicates.A special team from the Cyber Crime Police arrested the accused J. Jayaraj, 32, of Tirupur, and K. Ramkumar, 32, of Thoothukudi. Upon arrest, they confessed to their role in opening and supplying several mule accounts used for cyber frauds. From their possession, multiple incriminating materials were seized, including mobile phones, bank passbooks, cheque books, ATM cards, and identity documents.A senior police officer said, “We suspect a network of cyber fraudsters operating from Malaysia involved in the fraud. Efforts are on to track down the main accused.“Verification through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal confirmed that the bank accounts linked to the accused were connected with multiple cybercrime cases registered across different States, said the police.Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police, A. Arun, cautioned the public to remain alert against fraudulent online trading platforms that lure victims with promises of high returns. Citizens are urged not to share their bank account details or documents with unknown persons and to report any such incidents immediately via www.cybercrime.gov.in, contact the nearest Cyber Crime Police Station, or dial 1930 for prompt assistance. Published - September 25, 2025 06:15 pm IST
