Police zero in on more youths in north Kerala who allowed scammers to use their bank accounts

The cyber police have gathered details of more youths from different north Kerala districts who allegedly gave their savings bank account details to the agents of fraud online investment schemes for a commission. Police squads from other States are also likely to quiz them.

Police sources confirm that the majority of such “irresponsible account holders” are from the rural areas of Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Bank passbooks and ATM cards were given after they were promised commissions ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000, the police said adding that additional income was also offered based on the volume of daily transactions.

“The youths were actually falling into a trap unaware of the illegal fund transactions made by anonymous persons using their accounts. Most of them considered it as an easy way to make money,” said a police officer working with the cyber investigation squad. He said more than five such persons had been arrested from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts within the past two weeks.

Police sources said there were many students from Kuttiyadi, Vadakara and Nadapuram areas who gave their ATM cards and pass books to the agents of unknown scammers operating from different parts of the country and abroad.

Cyber police squads have zeroed in on more such bank accounts in Kannur, Kasaragod and Wayanad districts. Many suspicious accounts have already been frozen.

“Four such suspected account holders from Vadakara had earlier been nabbed by a Crime Branch squad from Madhya Pradesh. It was a warning for many to end the illegal practice, which helps scammers transfer the stolen money,” said an Assistant Sub Inspector working with the State’s high-tech crime inquiry cell. He said there were even students who fell prey to the “pocket money” offer of fraudsters in exchange of their bank details.

Published - June 19, 2025 09:06 pm IST