CBI Arrests Kozhikode Man in Connection with ₹1 Crore Cyber Fraud

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested K. Muhammed Fasal from Thamarassery in Kozhikode district for his role in an international cyber fraud and ATM card smuggling network.

Details

The arrest took place on October 17 and is connected to a July 2024 cyber fraud case where a person from Thrissur lost ₹1 crore. The victim transferred the money after fraudsters pretended to be FedEx officials and cybercrime police officers who needed to check his bank account. Investigators state that the network collected debit and ATM cards from young people and students across the State. These cardholders received between ₹3,000 and ₹7,000 for each card. The network then smuggled the cards to Dubai where associates used them to withdraw money from cyber crimes. The stolen funds were used to buy real estate in India and smuggle gold into Kerala. Fasal was previously stopped at Bengaluru airport on May 13, 2026, while trying to board a flight to Sharjah after authorities issued a Lookout Circular against him.

Context

Cyber fraud operations often rely on networks of mule accounts and smuggled banking instruments to move illegally obtained money across borders. Law enforcement agencies use tools like Lookout Circulars to track suspects attempting to flee the country through international airports.