Hyderabad: Cyber Crime Police bust digital arrest fraud, arrest 2 for cheating senior citizen of ₹59L
Police said the fraud unfolded between December 4 and 6, when the victim received WhatsApp calls from unidentified persons impersonating police and government authorities.
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have busted a ‘digital arrest’ fraud and arrested two facilitators who helped conmen impersonating police officials to cheat a senior citizen of Rs 59 lakh.
He threatened him with fake arrest warrants and legal action.
Senior citizen targeted through WhatsApp threats
Police said the fraud unfolded between December 4 and 6, when the victim received WhatsApp calls from unidentified persons impersonating police and government authorities. The callers falsely accused him of involvement in human trafficking, overseas job scams, and money laundering.
To intensify the intimidation, the fraudsters shared forged arrest warrants over WhatsApp and warned of immediate legal action. Succumbing to the sustained threats, the victim transferred Rs 59,00,300 through RTGS from his account at Union Bank of India.
Two arrested for supplying accounts
The Cyber Crime Police arrested Surampudi Chandrasekhar (31) and Emandi Venkat Naveen (25), both residents of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Investigators said the duo supplied bank accounts and technical assistance to the prime accused, who directly interacted with victims.
Fraud Trail: From bank transfers to Crypto
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cybercrimes) V. Arvind Babu said the accused adopted a layered modus operandi:
Impersonation of police and government officials.
Use of WhatsApp calls and forged arrest warrants to instil fear.
Forcing victims to transfer money to multiple accounts.
Use of malicious APK files to gain access to internet banking and SMS services.
Routing funds through shell company accounts.
Converting money into cryptocurrency (USDT) and withdrawing it via Binance P2P transactions.
Interstate racket with wide footprint
Police revealed that the arrested men are part of an interstate cyber fraud network. They allegedly facilitated 15 active bank accounts used to launder stolen funds and received their share in cryptocurrency, later converted into Indian currency.
The duo is linked to 65 cyber fraud cases across multiple states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. The total amount involved in these cases is estimated at ₹8 crore.
Five cases in Telangana
Of the cases linked to the accused, five pertain to Telangana, two each in Hyderabad and Cyberabad, and one in Sangareddy district.
Accused remanded, probe continues
Police said other members of the racket are absconding. The arrested accused have been remanded to judicial custody, and further investigation is underway to identify the prime operators, trace money trails, and secure additional arrests.
Police Advisory
Cyber Crime Police reiterated that no law enforcement agency conducts investigations, arrests or seeks money transfers through WhatsApp or phone calls, and urged citizens to report such threats immediately.
