A major financial investigation spanning multiple states has uncovered suspected large-scale transactions worth nearly ₹95 crore routed through foreign debit cards, raising concerns over a coordinated cross-border funding mechanism allegedly linked to sensitive regions in India.
According to initial findings, the network appears to have used foreign funds routed into India and converted them into cash through repeated ATM withdrawals. The cash was then allegedly circulated in Naxal-affected regions, indicating a structured financial flow operating through informal channels.
During coordinated raids conducted on April 18 and 19 across six states, authorities recovered 25 foreign debit cards, approximately ₹40 lakh in cash, multiple electronic devices, and critical documents. Investigators believe the operation was part of a wider organized financial structure involving misuse of international banking systems.
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US Bank Cards and ₹95 Cr ATM Withdrawals
Sources indicate that debit cards linked to a US-based bank were repeatedly used for cash withdrawals from ATMs across several Indian states. The funds are suspected to be connected to activities associated with an entity identified as “The Timothy Initiative (TTI),” which is not registered under India’s foreign funding regulatory framework.
Investigators further revealed that between November 2025 and April 2026, nearly ₹95 crore was routed into India through foreign banking channels. A significant portion of these withdrawals is suspected to have been carried out in Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-affected districts, including Bastar, Dantewada, and Dhamtari. Patterns of cash withdrawals amounting to approximately ₹6.5 crore in these regions over recent years have also come under scrutiny.
Bengaluru Airport Breakthrough
A key breakthrough in the case came when an individual identified as Micah Mark was intercepted at Bengaluru airport. Officials recovered 24 foreign debit cards from his possession, which he allegedly carried into India. Preliminary findings suggest that these cards were systematically used across multiple states for high-volume ATM withdrawals.
Investigators also discovered the existence of an online billing and accounting platform allegedly used to manage and track transactions. This system is believed to be operated by overseas entities and was reportedly used to record cash withdrawals and fund utilization, potentially masking the overall financial flow.
Expert Warning on Cyber-Financial Networks
Cyber security expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh commented on the emerging pattern, stating, “This case highlights how global financial networks and digital banking infrastructure can be misused to build hybrid funding models. The combination of foreign debit cards, ATM cash withdrawals, and online accounting systems suggests a structured cyber-financial crime ecosystem. Such networks may not only facilitate money transfer but also aim to establish economic influence in sensitive regions.”
He further emphasized that modern financial investigations require advanced digital forensics and cross-border data tracking, as the money trail is often fragmented across multiple jurisdictions and banking systems.
Investigating agencies have confirmed that several individuals across different states are under the scanner for their alleged involvement in the network. Digital evidence, banking records, and seized devices are currently being analyzed to reconstruct the full financial trail.
Officials have expressed concern that such parallel cash-based financial systems could pose a serious threat to national financial integrity and internal security. In particular, the suspected flow of funds into insurgency-affected regions raises concerns over potential misuse of money for unlawful activities.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities believe that further analysis may uncover additional individuals, transactions, and international linkages connected to the network in the coming days.
