In a major crackdown on cybercrime, Visakhapatnam police have exposed a financial fraud network and arrested six individuals accused of supplying mule bank accounts to international cyber fraud syndicates involved in digital arrest scams and online investment frauds.
Arrested Accused and International Links
The arrested accused have been identified as Kolukula Veerendranath, Imdad Hussain, Garige Rajesh Kumar, Ch. Ravi, Bikkina Raghu Vamsi and Malagala Subba Rao. All of them were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. Preliminary investigations revealed that the group obtained bank account details from third parties and supplied them to cybercrime networks.
Investigators said the syndicate had suspected links with cyber fraud groups operating in Cambodia, Myanmar, China, Pakistan and Nigeria. These accounts were allegedly used to quickly transfer and launder money obtained through fraudulent activities. The fraudsters reportedly used UPI transactions, ATM withdrawals, cryptocurrency conversions and foreign remittances to obscure financial trails.
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Digital Arrest Scam Triggers Probe
The investigation began after a retired professor was threatened by fraudsters posing as government officials. The accused falsely claimed that a fake ATM card had been created using the victim’s Aadhaar details and threatened legal action. Under fear, the victim transferred nearly ₹1.05 crore in instalments.
Police traced about ₹8 lakh from an HDFC Bank account in Nidadavolu, leading to the arrest of three suspects in the case.
Multiple Fraud Cases Uncovered
In another incident, an 84-year-old retired bank employee received a call from a person impersonating a Supreme Court official. The fraudster sent forged documents and threatened legal proceedings. The victim transferred around ₹89.30 lakh through three RTGS transactions, which were later traced to a Vizianagaram-based bank account, leading to the arrest of accused Ch. Ravi.
In a separate case, a victim was trapped in a fake investment scheme promoted through social media advertisements. The victim was added to a WhatsApp group named “Axis Securities” and lured into trading on a suspicious platform called “Hampton Sky Realty Ltd.” Falling into the trap, the victim transferred ₹48.21 lakh.
Seizures and Police Warnings
Investigations revealed that the gang operated by opening bank accounts under fake company names and earned commission from each transaction. Accused Bikkina Raghu Vamsi had contacted others through Facebook advertisements offering one per cent commission per transaction for opening accounts.
Police also seized a laptop, two POS swipe machines and a QR code scanner during the operation.
Officials said cybercriminals installed APK files on victims’ mobile phones to gain control over banking activities. After gaining access, they conducted multiple suspicious transactions to circulate funds across several accounts to avoid detection.
Cybersecurity experts have advised citizens not to click on unknown links and to stay alert against suspicious calls or messages. People have been urged to avoid online investment platforms promising unusually high returns.
Police are continuing investigations into the international connections of the syndicate. Officials believe more members may be involved, and further arrests are expected as the probe progresses.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
