Telangana cybercrime wing arrests 20 criminals from Surat wanted in 515 cases across India

Hyderabad: In a significant move against cybercrime, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has arrested 20 cybercriminals during a major interstate operation conducted in Surat, Gujarat.

The 10-day operation, conducted between May 1 and 10, targeted individuals involved in over 60 cybercrime cases in Telangana and a total of 515 cases nationwide.

Two specialised teams from TGCSB camped in Surat to carry out the operation under the Bureau’s strict zero tolerance policy against cybercrime. This was the fifth major mission led by the TGCSB Operations Wing, which was established to centralise and streamline investigations into cybercrime across State borders.

Rs 22.64 lakh was withdrawn through fraudulent cheques in Telangana

Disclosing the case details, TGCSB director Shikha Goel said that the operation primarily focused on seven cases registered in Telangana, which involved suspicious financial activities such as fraudulent cheque transactions and cash withdrawals.

Through the course of the operation, the teams apprehended 14 mule account holders and 6 agents. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused operated 27 mule accounts that processed suspicious transactions worth over Rs 4.37 crore. In Telangana alone, Rs 22.64 lakh was withdrawn through fraudulent cheques.

The arrested individuals include private sector employees, businessmen, and one bank employee—Ankit Kumar Singh, a relationship manager at DCB Bank’s Vapi branch. They were allegedly involved in various forms of online fraud, including investment scams, part-time job frauds and trading scams.

Seizures during operation

The TGCSB recovered 20 mobile phones, 28 SIM cards, four ATM cards, five cheque books, two PAN cards, two rubber stamps and several incriminating documents from the possession of the accused.

The accused arrested in Surat Operation are as follows. Mule account holders–Gurjar Jaydip Dinesh Bhai (30) –private employee, Vagh Ajay Bhagavanbhai (20) – Student, Sanepara Bhavdip Vitthalbhai (40) and Khandala Sanjaybhai Mansukhbhai (33) – Diamond labourers, Laxman Ram Thori (41) – Tailor, Bhimani Rutwik Mukeshbhai (22) – AC mechanic, Matvi Pradeep Kumar (24) – DJ operator, Saeed Ahmed Shabbir Ahmed @ Rizwan (32) – Private job, Patel Jetalbhai Ramubhai (32) – Private job, Patel Saad Mohammad (20) – Private job, Radadiya Jagdish Vinubhai (33) – Textile businessman, Pardeshi Narendrabhai Rajubhai (30) – Businessman, Variya Kalpesh Keshubhai (29) – Private employee amd Siddiqui Istekhar Ahmed (47) – Private job.

The agents were identified as Pandav Bhargav Ashokbhai (28) – Private employee, Lakhatariya Meet Dhirubhai (22) – DJ operator, Ankit Kumar Singh (26) – Relationship Manager, DCB Bank, Yashraj Rajesh Choudary (32) – Private job, Matankiya Tushar Hasmukbhai (25) – Private job and Shaikh Mohammed Atfishan @ Atfishan Roshini (21) – Student.

All arrested individuals were transported to Telangana on transit warrants and are currently in judicial custody across various jails in the state. Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest other absconding suspects linked to these cases.

Public advisory: Stay alert, report early

TGCSB has urged the public to stay vigilant against cyber fraud and avoid sharing personal or banking information with unverified individuals. Citizens are advised never to allow their bank accounts to be used by others, regardless of familiarity. Suspicious transactions should be immediately reported to 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in, ideally within the ‘golden hour’ to increase the chances of recovery and arrests.