CBI arrests K. Muhammed Fasal over Rs 1 crore fraud by fake FedEx officials and cybercrime police
The CBI says it arrested K. Muhammed Fasal, accused of running a network that bought ATM cards from students and smuggled them to Dubai to cash out a Rs 1 crore fraud by fake FedEx officials and 'cyber police'. No conviction is reported.
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Source: thehindu.com · published
What happened
The Hindu reported on 18 October 2026 that India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested K. Muhammed Fasal, described as an alleged key operative in an international cyber fraud and ATM card smuggling network, at Thamarassery in Kerala's Kozhikode district. The arrest was recorded on 17 October. These are allegations made by investigators; Fasal has not been convicted, and no conviction is reported.
The arrest is linked to a case reported in July 2024, in which a Thrissur-based complainant allegedly lost Rs 1 crore after people posing as FedEx officials and cybercrime police persuaded him to transfer the money on the pretext of verifying his bank account. ANI (carried by Asianet) and Mirror Now also reported the CBI action, putting the amount at Rs 1,04,40,111.
FedEx is the impersonated brand, not the scammer, and real police do not ask people to move money to have a bank account "verified".
How the scheme worked
According to investigators, the network allegedly led by Fasal bought debit and ATM cards from young people and students in various parts of Kerala, paying Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 per card. The cards were then allegedly smuggled to Dubai, where associates used them to withdraw money obtained through cyber fraud. Investigators also say the proceeds were channelled into real estate in different parts of India, while gold was smuggled into Kerala.
Fasal had earlier been intercepted at Bengaluru airport on 13 May 2026 while allegedly trying to travel to Sharjah, after a Lookout Circular was issued against him.
Why it matters
The case shows how this kind of fraud is cashed out: the callers rely on victims believing that a courier problem and a police inquiry are real, and the stolen money is then withdrawn using cards bought from ordinary people, often students offered a few thousand rupees. As this case shows, selling or lending a bank card can draw the card holder into a criminal investigation.
Source
The Hindu, "CBI nabs Kozhikode native involved in cyber fraud" (18 October 2026).
Red flags
- A call from people posing as FedEx or courier staff, followed by 'cyber police'.
- Being told to transfer money so that your bank account can be 'verified'.
- Threats of arrest unless you cooperate immediately and in secret.
- Offers of Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 for your debit or ATM card.
If you were targeted
- 1Hang up and contact the courier or the police yourself using official numbers.
- 2Never transfer money to 'verify' an account or clear your name.
- 3If you've paid, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in, then alert your bank.
- 4Never sell, lend or hand over your debit card, PIN or bank account to anyone.