How SMS helped Hyderabad cybercrime police to track down iBomma kingpin Immadhi Ravi
The investigation took an unexpected turn when police picked up an iBomma associate from Kukatpally
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: A single SMS helped Hyderabad cybercrime police track down and arrest iBomma kingpin Immadhi Ravi at his Kukatpally residence, a breakthrough that has since expanded into a major investigation uncovering betting platform links, crypto transactions, and suspected money laundering.
Breakthrough from a chance message
The investigation took an unexpected turn when police picked up an iBomma associate from Kukatpally. While the man was in custody, an SMS flashed on his phone saying, “I am coming to Hyderabad.”
When confronted, the detainee identified the sender as Ravi. Acting swiftly, police took control of the phone and continued the conversation, allowing Ravi to believe he was communicating with his trusted aide.
This helped investigators track Ravi’s movements and confirm his return to the city.
Arrest at Kukatpally Gated Community
With intelligence in hand, police set up surveillance at Ravi’s apartment in a gated community in Kukatpally. Officers said he refused to open the door for several minutes, forcing them to prepare to break it open. He eventually complied.
Inside the flat, police seized multiple hardware components, including 6 TB hard disks, and recovered a laptop hidden in the washroom.
Investigators said Ravi had renounced Indian citizenship, obtained a Caribbean passport, and lived a secluded life. The Foreigners Act has been invoked against him.
Cloudflare inputs reveal Global Network
Police said technical details shared by Cloudflare during an online meeting helped identify devices used to upload pirated content. These inputs aided in tracing and arresting another associate linked to iBomma’s operations.
Ravi, officers said, ran iBomma with administrators based in multiple countries, including foreign nationals who managed mirror sites to bypass repeated government blocks.
Hyderabad police have sought his custodial interrogation in the Nampally court.
Link to illegal betting platforms exposed
The remand report revealed that Ravi diverted massive user traffic from piracy websites to illegal online gaming and betting platforms. This collaboration allegedly enabled betting operators to exploit more than 3.7 million users, who were lured with bonus offers and misleading promotions.
Police said the arrangement not only generated illicit profits but also posed a threat to India’s financial stability and digital security.
Tactics used to evade detection
Investigators listed several methods Ravi adopted to keep the piracy network running despite repeated enforcement action: Colluding with betting networks for revenue, using Cloudflare hosting to shield websites, changing domain extensions to avoid blocking, operating at least 17 domains linked to piracy, and using two long-standing domains registered under his firm, ER Infotech.
Police noted that nearly 95% of piracy websites, including iBomma, rely on Cloudflare to remain online and anonymous.
Crypto-based money trail under scrutiny
The financial investigation revealed large cryptocurrency transfers into Ravi’s NRE accounts. Police found transactions amounting to around Rs 25 crore across his bank accounts, a monthly crypto inflow of Rs 15 lakh, Rs 3.5 crore frozen across multiple accounts, and use of funds to purchase property in Caribbean islands.
The remand report states that investigators are verifying the “illicit money trail” from crypto wallets to Ravi’s accounts.
ED steps in with Money-Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has written to Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar seeking the FIR, remand report, statements, and bank documents.
Based on these records, the ED is preparing to register an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the PMLA to investigate laundering of proceeds from film piracy and betting promotions.
Officials said the ED will examine foreign transfers, crypto flows, and the use of illicit funds in offshore asset purchases.
Custody petition likely to be heard Today
Hyderabad police have sought Ravi’s custody to examine the platform’s revenue model, technical infrastructure, and global linkages. The Nampally court is expected to hear the petition on Wednesday
