What started as a seemingly straightforward online fraud complaint in Davanagere has exploded into one of Karnataka's most significant cybercrime investigations, uncovering a staggering network of suspicious transactions valued at over Rs 2,125 crore. The sheer scale of the financial maze has compelled authorities to transfer the case to the state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
From a Businessman's Complaint to a National Scandal
The case was first registered on August 11, 2024, at the Cybercrime Economic Offences unit of the Davanagere narcotic police station. The complainant, businessman Pramod HH of Nituvalli, alleged that fraudsters had illicitly transferred Rs 52.6 lakh from his company's bank account, held under Anjanadri Constructions.
Initial probes by the cyber cell indicated the fraud was far deeper. While the reported Rs 52.6 lakh was indeed stolen, investigators discovered the accused had also funneled a colossal Rs 152 crore into an account opened in the name of a private company. Of this amount, a shocking Rs 132 crore was withdrawn in cash, while police managed to freeze the remaining Rs 18 crore.
The Dramatic Twist: Complainant Turns Accused
The investigation took a sensational turn when detectives found the source of the complaint himself was involved. DSP Bankali Nagappa of the Davanagere CEN police station revealed that Pramod could not explain massive, suspicious credits to his current account between August 12 and 14.
It was later unearthed that Pramod had allegedly opened the bank account and handed its control to online fraudsters in exchange for a commission. He filed the First Information Report (FIR) only after he did not receive the promised payment from the criminals. This revelation transformed the victim into a key suspect.
A Vast Network Unravels Across States
As the net widened, police arrested Arfat Pasha of Hassan and later apprehended Sanjay Kund of Ahmedabad, another alleged account holder who facilitated the fraud. Kund was linked to a pivotal account at the Jubilee Hills Mercantile Cooperative Urban Bank in Hyderabad. Authorities noted that Kund is already facing approximately 350 FIRs registered against him across India.
Officials identified a total of 29 bank accounts with dubious activity, including 23 current accounts. DSP Nagappa stated, "Suspicious transactions amounting to Rs 2,125 crore have been detected, requiring detailed investigation. Large sums were deposited from Dubai and the funds are also linked to online gaming, gambling, and fake trading activities."
CID Takes Over the Multi-Crore Probe
Given the interstate ramifications and the astronomical sums involved, the case has now been handed over to the CID. Superintendent of police Uma Prashanth confirmed that the probe spans multiple states and that the scale of online transfers discovered far exceeds the amount initially reported in the FIR.
The transfer occurred after the chargesheet was submitted and necessary approvals were obtained from higher authorities. This move underscores the complexity and national reach of the financial fraud network, which originated from a single complaint in Davanagere.
