Telangana Police launch 'Operation Crackdown' to dismantle cybercrime network

Key facts

• Telangana Police launched 'Operation Crackdown' on 25 February 2026 to break cybercrime networks across the state.
• Conceived by Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), the operation will run over the next few months in collaboration with Districts and Commissionerates.
• First phase targeted 1,888 suspected mule bank accounts opened in 137 bank branches spread across 16 districts/units of Telangana.
• Data analysis by TGCSB revealed 4,775 mule accounts operated in the state during 2025.
• These accounts are linked to 9,431 crime links nationwide, including 782 within Telangana.
• A total of 137 police teams comprising 512 officers visited the 137 bank branches to collect KYC details of suspicious account holders.
• One account in Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, was linked to 496 crime complaints, while four branches in Suryapet District held 298 such accounts.
• Smaller banks lacking RTGS capability were found using national banks' RTGS for fund transfers without proper verification, a gap exploited by cyber criminals.
• Verification, financial-trail analysis, profiling, and strict legal action will continue under Operation Crackdown.