After a retired professor lost ₹78.6 lakh, Bhimavaram Police cracked down on a mule-account syndicate laundering crores.
Bhimavaram / West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh – In a major breakthrough against cross-border cybercrime, West Godavari police have arrested 14 members of an international cyber fraud gang accused of running a ‘Digital Arrest’ scam by posing as Indian law-enforcement officials to extort money from citizens. Notably, six of the arrested suspects were operating from Cambodia while coordinating with agents in India.
The crackdown led to the seizure of ₹42 lakh in cash and ₹19.35 lakh frozen in various bank accounts linked to the syndicate. Investigators say the network primarily targeted individuals in Andhra Pradesh.
The case surfaced after a retired professor from Bhimavaram was duped into transferring ₹78.60 lakh under the threat of a fake cybercrime investigation and “virtual custody”.
How the Fraud Worked: The ‘Digital Arrest’ Formula
The gang used video calls, impersonating senior officers from agencies like the police, CBI or cybercrime units.
Victims were told:
“Your identity is linked to financial crime. You are under digital arrest. Transfer funds to clear your name and avoid prosecution.”
Amid fear and panic, victims transferred their savings into bank accounts controlled by the gang.
Mule Accounts: The Heart of the Operation
The syndicate had built an extensive network of mule bank accounts—opened using local residents’ credentials in exchange for commission.
- Police explained the money trail:
- Victim transfers funds into mule accounts
- Amount is instantly layered—moved across multiple accounts
- Cash is withdrawn or sent overseas through laundering channels
Indian operatives retained a cut as commission, sending the rest to their counterparts in Cambodia—making the network difficult to trace.
Cambodia Link: India-Operated, Foreign-Controlled Syndicate
The six Cambodia-based members have been identified as:
- Gadrathi Chinni Blandina — Hyderabad
- P. Vamsi Prasad — Hyderabad
- Maamidi Venkat Rohini Kumar — Visakhapatnam
- Kommineni Ajay — Visakhapatnam
- Kooragayala Eswar — Visakhapatnam
- T. Jayachandra Kumar — Anantapur
According to police, the India-based network handled accounts and cash, while Cambodia operated a call-center-style fraud hub, targeting Indian victims remotely.
What the Police Recovered
Seizures include:
- ₹42 lakh cash
- Dozens of ATM cards, passbooks & SIM cards
- Smartphones tied to foreign WhatsApp numbers
- Passports used for overseas stay
- Digital evidence of money laundering and routing
Nationwide & Overseas Operations Continue
Police teams have been deployed to:
- Cambodia — to bring back prime operatives
- Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam — for further arrests
Cyber forensics experts are analysing transaction flows and communications to identify higher-level handlers and financial conduits.
Digital Arrest: A Fast-Spreading Cyber Threat in India
Cybersecurity analysts note a sharp rise in India in such scams mimicking enforcement agencies, leveraging fear to pressure victims into real-time payments.
Authorities warn that the crime poses threats not just to individuals’ finances, but to banking integrity and national security, as such syndicates operate transnationally.
Police Advisory for Public Safety
“No genuine government or law-enforcement agency demands money over a phone call. Any such threat must be immediately reported to the cyber helpline 1930.”
— SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi, West Godavari
Conclusion
The bust has exposed how foreign-controlled cybercrime gangs are rapidly expanding inside India, using digital banking to siphon money across borders. Authorities have urged citizens to stay alert, verify official communication, and avoid panic responses to threatening calls.
With international cooperation underway, more arrests and financial trail revelations are expected in the coming weeks.
