In a significant case of digital payment fraud, the Central Crime Station (CCS) in Hyderabad has registered a case against two former employees of a petrol pump for allegedly embezzling a massive sum of nearly ₹89 lakh. The accused are reported to have diverted customer payments into personal accounts over a 16-month period.
Proprietor Uncovers Massive Financial Discrepancy
The complaint was formally lodged on Wednesday by Madasu Kishore Reddy (43), the proprietor of the Excel BPCL Petrol Pump located in Trimulgherry. Reddy accused his former manager, Mittapalli Sandeep (38), and the ex-cashier-cum-supervisor, Basam Srinivasulu (28), of orchestrating a sophisticated financial scam. The charges filed include criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the fraudulent activity spanned from August 1, 2024, to November 20, 2025. Reddy alleged that the duo, potentially with other unidentified associates, systematically diverted digital payments made by customers at the pump. These funds were allegedly channeled into their personal bank accounts instead of the company's official accounts.
Modus Operandi: Manipulated Records and Forgery
The proprietor stated that the fraud came to light during a routine general audit conducted last month. The auditor discovered glaring discrepancies totaling ₹88.6 lakh. A deeper investigation revealed that the accused had manipulated multiple financial records to conceal their actions.
The scam involved tampering with PhonePe transaction entries, manipulating point-of-sale (POS) machine settlements, and even forging bank records. This multi-pronged approach allowed them to siphon off funds consistently without raising immediate suspicion. Reddy further informed the police that when he confronted the two former employees about the irregularities, they responded with threats of dire consequences.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Based on the detailed complaint, the Hyderabad police have registered a case under relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The specific sections invoked are 316(4) for criminal breach of trust by a clerk or servant, 318(4) for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, read with section 3(5) pertaining to common intention.
In their initial statement, the police confirmed that both accused are currently absconding. A preliminary investigation is actively underway, with officers collecting detailed transaction records and digital evidence from the complainant. The primary focus is to trace the misappropriated money and apprehend the suspects.
Reddy, who had entrusted the daily operations of the pump to Sandeep and Srinivasulu upon hiring them in August 2024, expressed his betrayal of trust. He has appealed to the police to take stringent action and ensure the recovery of the embezzled amount, which represents a substantial financial blow to his business.
