The Visakhapatnam cybercrime police arrested three persons for operating mule bank accounts for an international cyber fraud syndicate based in Dubai.The accused, identified as Syed Ali Abbas Hussain Jaffri, Shaik Yousuf, and Zakir Hussain from Hyderabad, orchestrated financial transactions via mule accounts under instructions from overseas masterminds named Shaibaz and Suleman.The police cracked the case following a complaint from a school librarian in Visakhapatnam who lost ₹51.25 lakh to a fake trading scam.The fraudsters contact the victim via WhatsApp, pose as American stock market experts, and direct her to download a fraudulent trading application named “SALTORO IN”.They lured her into investing heavy amounts in shares and Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) promising high returns. Another victim lost ₹91,500 through the same modus operandi.Technical analysis, bank transaction tracking, and field investigations revealed that the funds move from layer-1 to layer-2 bank accounts.Police traced the digital footprints, mobile tower locations, and KYC details to Telangana, subsequently issuing notices to the suspects. The investigation exposed that the trio procured bank accounts from family members, friends, and acquaintances in exchange for high commissions, transferring the swindled funds through cash withdrawals, UPI, demand drafts, and hawala channels.Authorities produced the arrested individuals before a judicial magistrate, who remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. Police seized mobile phones containing incriminating WhatsApp chats and bank details, sending the digital evidence for forensic examination.The Visakhapatnam City Police urged citizens to avoid unverified social media investment offers, unauthorized trading applications, and suspicious links.Victims of cyber crimes can immediately dial the toll-free helpline 1930 or report complaints via the official website www.cybercrime.gov.in Published - August 03, 2026 11:47 pm IST