Double Life Exposed: How a Fruit Vendor Masterminded the Notorious "Mamu Gang" Bank Robbery Network

During interrogation, Kamrul confessed to being the mastermind behind the notorious "Mamu Gang". (File)

New Delhi:

Delhi Police Crime Branch has apprehended a 51-year-old fruit vendor who secretly operated as the mastermind of the infamous "Mamu Gang" - a sophisticated group specializing in bank robberies, authorities announced on Friday.

"During daylight hours, he masqueraded as a simple fruit seller, quietly studying bank facilities, monitoring staff patterns and identifying security vulnerabilities. At night, he orchestrated precise strikes with his team - breaking into vaults and disabling security systems," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Harsh Indora stated.

The suspect, identified as Kamrul alias Mamu from Uttar Pradesh, was wanted for multiple bank burglary cases across Karnataka and Maharashtra.

"He functioned as the gang's leader and strategist, renowned for his elaborate heist planning and disguise techniques to avoid capture," the DCP explained.

Authorities revealed that a Crime Branch team arrested him from Mahavir Enclave in southwest Delhi on November 5 following intelligence about his movements in the area.

Kamrul had been residing in the neighborhood under a false identity, selling fruits in local markets as a cover for his actual profession - bank robbery, according to police.

The team set up a trap in Uttam Nagar and successfully apprehended him. "Verification confirmed he was the suspect wanted in three major bank burglary cases in Karnataka," the officer added.

During questioning, Kamrul admitted to leading the "Mamu Gang," an organized interstate network responsible for bank heists throughout Maharashtra and Karnataka. Police reported that the gang operated strategically using role-specific disguises and thorough reconnaissance before executing their burglaries.

"Gang members would pose as fruit vendors and blend with market crowds near banks during daytime. This cover enabled them to study entry and exit points, observe guard movements, staff routines and security weaknesses," DCP Indora explained.

"Once the plan was finalized, they would attack at night using specialized tools to disable alarms and surveillance systems before breaking into vaults," he continued.

According to police, after committing burglaries, the gang would quickly disperse to different cities and resume their fruit seller disguises to evade detection.

The officer confirmed that three major bank burglary cases registered in Karnataka have now been solved with Kamrul's arrest. The suspect has over ten previous cases filed against him across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

His criminal record includes charges of murder, attempted murder, gang activities, theft, fraud and violations under the Arms Act and NDPS Act, police stated.

Though illiterate, the accused is highly skilled in executing planned burglaries and has been operating across multiple states for nearly three decades, authorities added.

"He frequently moved between cities, recruited local accomplices and used coded communication to coordinate operations," the officer said.

Further investigation continues to identify additional "Mamu Gang" members and trace the stolen proceeds.