📷 Image: Hindustan Times (via NewsData)
Technology
CERT-In warns banks of AI-driven cyberattacks and mule account fund transfers
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 05 Nov 2026, 09:48 AM
👁 7
CERT-In and I4C have alerted financial institutions about rising AI-driven cyberattacks, highlighting how funds are rapidly moved via IMPS and NEFT to mule accounts.
The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) have issued a joint advisory to financial firms regarding the escalating threat of AI-driven cyberattacks. The alert specifically targets the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who are leveraging artificial intelligence to breach security systems and execute unauthorized fund transfers.
According to the advisory, a significant portion of the illicit money is routed to mule accounts across various banks. Once the funds reach these accounts, they are quickly moved or withdrawn through popular electronic payment systems such as IMPS and NEFT, making it difficult for authorities to trace the original source of the money.
The warning underscores the need for financial institutions to strengthen their monitoring mechanisms and detect unusual transaction patterns in real-time. By identifying the rapid movement of funds to mule networks, banks can potentially intercept these transfers before the money is fully dispersed.
This development highlights the evolving nature of cybercrime in India, where traditional security measures are being challenged by advanced AI tools. Financial firms are urged to remain vigilant and adopt robust defensive strategies to protect customer assets from such sophisticated digital threats.
According to the advisory, a significant portion of the illicit money is routed to mule accounts across various banks. Once the funds reach these accounts, they are quickly moved or withdrawn through popular electronic payment systems such as IMPS and NEFT, making it difficult for authorities to trace the original source of the money.
The warning underscores the need for financial institutions to strengthen their monitoring mechanisms and detect unusual transaction patterns in real-time. By identifying the rapid movement of funds to mule networks, banks can potentially intercept these transfers before the money is fully dispersed.
This development highlights the evolving nature of cybercrime in India, where traditional security measures are being challenged by advanced AI tools. Financial firms are urged to remain vigilant and adopt robust defensive strategies to protect customer assets from such sophisticated digital threats.