iBomma case: Immadhi Ravi’s arrest reveals betting money trail, legal loopholes that fuelled piracy

Hyderabad: The ongoing probe into the widely discussed iBomma piracy case has begun unravelling critical technical and financial details.

Cybercrime officials revealed that the main accused, Immadhi Ravi, has provided investigators with substantial information on how the piracy network functioned.

Website hosted overseas using fake company identity

Cybercrime Additional CP Srinivas told the media that the iBomma domain was registered under a company named ‘Enjola.’ The website was hosted through a third-party platform to conceal ownership and avoid digital tracking.

Investigators confirmed that Ravi used a Content Management System (CMS) to upload pirated content.

Multiple piracy platforms managed

Apart from iBomma, Ravi was also operating the Bappam piracy platform. Both were actively used to upload and distribute Telugu cinema illegally. Police found that Ravi had written redirect scripts within the websites, enabling user traffic to be diverted to online betting and gaming sites — a major source of revenue.

Other piracy networks are still active

Authorities noted that several major piracy sites, such as Movierulz and TamilMV, remain operational. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest their administrators. “Even now, multiple piracy websites continue to function. We are working with national and international agencies to track them,” Srinivas said.

Estimated earnings touch Rs 20 crore

Preliminary investigation suggests Ravi earned up to Rs 20 crore through piracy and linked advertising networks. Officials said that the accused was confident he could evade prosecution and relied on loopholes in digital enforcement systems.

Ravi spent Rs 83 lakh to purchase citizenship in a Caribbean nation

Investigators revealed that Ravi was constantly travelling abroad.

He allegedly spent $100,000 (approx. Rs 83 lakh) to purchase citizenship in a Caribbean nation, a move believed to be aimed at sidestepping legal risks and extradition. A designer identified as Nikhil was responsible for creating posters and marketing material for the websites.

Rumours of wife’s involvement denied

Authorities rejected social media claims that Ravi’s wife tipped off the police. “Those reports are baseless. She has not been questioned,” Srinivas clarified.

Impending threat: Web3-based piracy

Police cautioned that future piracy networks built on emerging Web3 decentralisation could become harder to track and dismantle. “This is a highly complex investigation. Digital piracy is no longer a simple offence; it involves advanced technology, international routing and financial laundering,” the ACP stated.

Extradition routes being examined

Since Indian law recognises offences committed from foreign soil if the impact is within the country, authorities are coordinating with agencies overseas. “We have extradition mechanisms with several nations, and legal steps are in motion,” Srinivas added.