Hyderabad Cybercrime Units Nab 23 in Major Fraud Crackdown
In a significant crackdown on digital financial crimes, cybercrime sleuths from the Malkajgiri and Cyberabad police commissionerates in Hyderabad have detected multiple cases and arrested 23 accused individuals across several states. The arrests are linked to a wide array of fraudulent activities, including investment scams, digital arrest frauds, and online betting operations, highlighting the escalating threat of cybercrime in the region.
Malkajgiri Commissionerate's Seven Cases and 11 Arrests
Since February 1, the Malkajgiri commissionerate has been particularly active, detecting seven cybercrime cases that led to the arrest of 11 persons. The cases encompass a diverse range of frauds:
- Four investment frauds involving fake trading platforms and deceptive WhatsApp groups.
- One digital arrest fraud where fraudsters impersonated government officials.
- One online gaming and betting fraud centered on illegal cricket betting activities.
- One part-time job scam targeting individuals seeking employment opportunities.
In a notable digital arrest case, two accused in Hyderabad were apprehended for supplying mule bank accounts to fraudsters who cheated a senior citizen of 2.8 lakh rupees. Meanwhile, in an online betting case, three individuals were arrested for operating illegal cricket betting activities, with transactions worth approximately 23.6 crore rupees uncovered.
Pan-India Operations and Victim Refunds
The crackdown extended beyond Hyderabad, with four mule account holders arrested in separate investment fraud cases across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. These frauds deceived victims through sophisticated fake trading platforms and manipulative WhatsApp groups. In a part-time job fraud case, two accused were arrested for cheating a victim of 5.6 lakh rupees.
Importantly, as per court orders, refunds amounting to 43.2 lakh rupees have been secured for the victims, providing some relief in these distressing cases.
Cyberabad Police's Nine Cases and 12 Arrests
Simultaneously, the Cyberabad police detected nine cybercrime cases between January 30 and February 5, leading to the arrest of 12 accused. These individuals were part of pan-India cybercrime syndicates that utilized digital platforms and mule bank accounts to perpetrate their schemes. All arrested persons have been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody, ensuring legal proceedings are underway.
This coordinated effort by Hyderabad's cybercrime units underscores the growing vigilance against digital frauds and the commitment to safeguarding citizens from financial exploitation in the online realm.
