Freelance model held for allegedly supplying mule accounts to cyber fraudsters

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad cybercrimes police officials have apprehended an individual accused of arranging and supplying mule bank accounts to cyber fraudsters, including Chinese nationals, in a digital arrest fraud.

The accused, Sambit Kumar Naik, son of Sripati Naik and aged 24, worked as a freelance model. A native of Odisha, he was involved in a 2025 digital arrest scam, where fraudsters duped an elderly woman of Rs 6.60 lakh.

Woman dies of shock after being duped

The accused allegedly impersonated the Bengaluru Police via WhatsApp and threatened her with digital arrest, using forged documents, said Rahul Hegde, Cybercrime Deputy Commissioner, in a release.

Due to continuous threats and mental harassment, the victim reportedly suffered severe cardiac distress and passed away, police said.

A case was subsequently registered based on the complaint under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as the IT Act.

During interrogation, Sambit admitted his role in the crime, explaining that financial troubles and a desire for easy money to cover personal expenses led him to connect with cyber fraudsters on Telegram.

The accused allegedly began arranging bank accounts for them in exchange for a commission. He also established links with Chinese nationals operating out of Cambodia under “HYPAY Company,” coordinating the collection of bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books, and SIM cards to facilitate fraudulent transactions.

Arrested twice, resumed cyber fraud after release

In January 2025, he was arrested twice and spent nearly six months in judicial custody. He later resumed his involvement in cyber fraud activities after he was released.

He further admitted that he was fully aware that the bank accounts and SIM cards he supplied to fraudsters would be used for routing the proceeds of cybercrimes and facilitating illegal transactions.

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