Puducherry | 27 November 2025 | Puducherry police have uncovered a highly organized cybercrime network that has shocked law enforcement agencies in the state. The racket was reportedly operating from within an engineering college and involved cyber fraud worth nearly ₹90 crore. Several students were found complicit, selling bank accounts of friends and classmates to cybercriminals, which were subsequently used for money laundering and conversion into cryptocurrency.
Authorities described the campus as a “cybercrime hotspot”, where students, lured by easy money, handed over their banking credentials to fraudsters.
How the Case Came to Light
The case emerged when two engineering students—Dinesh and Jaypratap—approached the police after their bank accounts were suddenly frozen. Investigation revealed that both had provided account access to their friend Harish, who is now in police custody. Further inquiry uncovered that Harish had collected information on over 20 bank accounts from students and ordinary citizens.
These accounts were used as “mule accounts” to deposit proceeds of large-scale cyber fraud. Authorities confirmed that at least ₹7 crore had already been withdrawn from these accounts.
Seven Arrested, Multiple Students Involved
Puducherry Cyber Crime Police have so far arrested seven individuals, including four current students and three graduates. The accused are identified as:
- Thomas alias Hyagriv
- Harish
- Ganesan
- Govindraaj
- Yashwin
- Rahul
- Ayyappan
Raids on multiple locations yielded significant digital and banking materials, including:
- ₹5 lakh cash
- 171 cheque books
- 75 ATM cards
- 20 mobile phones
- Multiple laptops and computers
- Several bank passbooks and credit cards
- One Hyundai Verna car
Police said the seizures indicate the sophistication and scale of the network.
China Connection: Crypto Conversion via Telegram
Investigators found that the network extended beyond India, reaching China and Dubai. Main accused Ganesan coordinated directly with cybercriminals based in China via the Telegram app.
His responsibilities included:
- Depositing money through mule accounts in India
- Converting illicit funds into cryptocurrency
- Transferring amounts to crypto wallets in exchange for commission
Officials said the system functioned as a highly organized crypto-based money laundering model, with students used as “financial instruments.”
How the Campus Became a Hotspot
A senior officer explained that students were lured under the pretext of part-time holiday work, data entry, and trading assignments. In exchange, they were asked to provide:
- Bank accounts
- UPI IDs
- KYC documents
- Passbooks and ATM cards
Students were offered ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per account, prompting many to participate without understanding the consequences.
Police Advisory: Protect Your Bank Accounts
Puducherry Police have issued a stern warning:
“Do not allow anyone else to operate your bank account or digital wallet under any circumstances. Report any suspicious activity immediately to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.”
Authorities stressed that the network targets young individuals, and even small oversights can make them accomplices in major financial crimes.
Ongoing Investigation, International Network Under Scrutiny
Police suspect the network is active not only in Puducherry but also in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. The investigation has sought cooperation from college authorities to understand how the campus became a hub for such activities.
Officials indicated that further arrests are likely and that the complete international network could soon be exposed.
