Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Police on Saturday cautioned people against allowing their bank accounts to be used by cyber criminals to transfer or withdraw money obtained through online frauds, warning that account holders could face legal action.

In a statement, police said "mule accounts" are bank accounts used, with or without the knowledge of their owners, to safely transfer money obtained by cyber criminals through fraudulent means.

Students and people from low-income groups are often targeted by fraudsters, who exploit their lack of awareness about the consequences of cyber crimes and lure them with promises of easy money, police said.

Police advised people not to allow anyone else to operate their bank accounts or provide accounts held in their names for the use of others. They should also not receive or transfer money belonging to others through their accounts, it said.

Anyone offering commission or payment in return for allowing transactions through their bank account should be reported to the nearest police station or the cyber helpline 1930, police said.

People should not share their bank account details or personal information with strangers, it said, adding that if money is credited to an account without the owner's knowledge, the bank and police should be informed immediately in writing. Such money should neither be withdrawn nor transferred to another account, police cautioned.

The account holder will be fully responsible for transactions carried out through their bank account, and knowingly receiving or transferring unauthorised funds through one's account is an offence, police said.

Police also advised people to treat bank accounts as private and use them responsibly and securely. Those who fall victim to online fraud should immediately contact the cyber helpline 1930 or report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in, it said.