Hyderabad: Cybercrime police crack down on piracy; iBomma, Bappam among 65 websites booked for uploading Telugu films

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cybercrime police have booked 65 mirror websites, including the widely used iBomma and Bappam platforms, for illegally uploading and distributing Telugu films.

The action follows a complaint from the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC). The film body said which said rampant piracy is causing massive losses to the industry.

Pirated films leaked within hours

The Chamber alleged that these sites routinely upload high-definition copies of new theatrical releases and OTT exclusives, often within hours of their official launch.

Films such as Thandel were reportedly pirated soon after release, undermining box-office collections and producers’ investments.

Threats to producers

Shockingly, operators of some piracy websites went a step further by intimidating filmmakers who attempted to protect their work through legal channels.

They issued a public warning letter with statements like “Nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing to lose,” which circulated widely on social media, creating fear among producers.

Network of mirror sites

Investigators said the piracy network thrives through nearly 65 mirror websites and proxy domains, constantly shifting URLs to escape detection.

Many of the platforms, including iBomma, are hosted on Cloudflare, a content delivery network that masks their original servers and provides anonymity.

Authorities estimate that around 95% of piracy sites rely on Cloudflare, making them difficult to shut down.

Case registered

Cybercrime police have registered a case and initiated a probe into the piracy operations. Efforts are on to identify the key operators behind the networks and take further legal action, the police added.