Hyderabad Cyber Police Warn Youth Against Money Mule Job Scams

Hyderabad Cyber Police have issued a strong public warning as cases of “money mule” recruitment scams surge across Telangana, trapping jobseekers into unknowingly laundering criminal proceeds and exposing them to serious legal consequences.

According to police data, more than 2,000 bank accounts in Telangana were flagged as money mule accounts in the final quarter of 2025 alone. These accounts are believed to have facilitated laundering of over ₹500 crore for organised cybercrime networks operating both within India and overseas.

The scams typically begin with unsolicited messages on WhatsApp or Telegram offering easy work-from-home roles. The pitch sounds harmless: simple fund transfers, quick commissions, and no prior experience required. Victims are initially paid small “test amounts” to build trust before being asked to route much larger sums through their personal bank accounts.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Avinash Mohanty said many victims fail to realise they are committing a criminal offence. “They think they are just helping a company process payments. In reality, they become direct enablers of cyber fraud and money laundering,” he said, adding that over 150 arrests were made in a single month.

Investigators say the operation follows a predictable pattern. Fake recruiters share contracts and onboarding documents, often embedded with malware that harvests banking and identity data. Once the account is trusted, large volumes of illicit funds - sourced from phishing, digital arrest scams and investment fraud - are funnelled through it and quickly dispersed.

The legal consequences are severe. Money mules face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the IT Act, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Convictions can lead to prison terms of up to seven years, permanent blacklisting by banks, and long-term damage to credit scores.

Cyber experts point out that financial discipline is critical not just for businesses but for individuals as well. Just as organisations rely on structured oversight like bookkeeping services in india to monitor transactions and flag irregularities early, individuals must keep strict control over how their accounts are used and never allow third-party fund routing.

Police have identified recruitment hotspots in areas like Quthbullapur and Uppal, with fraudsters increasingly targeting college students and fresh graduates. Newer traps include crypto-based roles, AI-generated recruiter voices, and deepfake videos designed to appear legitimate.

Hyderabad Cyber Police have urged citizens to remember one simple rule: never allow anyone else to use your bank account for receiving or transferring money. Suspicious job offers should be verified through official platforms, and any suspected fraud should be reported immediately via the 1930 cybercrime helpline.

As cybercrime losses continue to rise nationwide, authorities stress that awareness remains the strongest defence. What looks like an easy income opportunity can quickly turn into a lifelong legal and financial burden.