The cybercrime police in Hyderabad’s Malkajgiri commissionerate have arrested five individuals in connection with three cyber fraud cases that collectively caused losses exceeding ₹4.2 crore to victims. The arrests were made during a special enforcement drive conducted between March 1 and March 7 targeting organised cybercrime networks.
Officials said the accused were traced to Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, indicating the interstate nature of the cyber fraud operations.
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Victims Lured Through Fake Trading Apps And WhatsApp Groups
According to investigators, the fraudsters targeted victims by promoting fake online trading platforms and investment schemes through WhatsApp groups and mobile applications.
The perpetrators promised high returns on investments, persuading victims to deposit large sums of money into accounts controlled by the scam network. Once the funds were transferred, the victims were unable to withdraw their supposed profits, eventually realising they had been cheated.
Police said the total losses across the three cases crossed ₹4.2 crore, reflecting the growing scale of cyber-enabled investment scams.
Accused Supplied Mule Bank Accounts For Fraud Network
Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals allegedly provided bank accounts to the main fraudsters on commission, enabling the gang to route and withdraw the cheated money. Such accounts—often referred to as “mule accounts”—are commonly used by cybercriminals to conceal financial trails and quickly move funds across multiple jurisdictions.
Police said the accused allowed their bank credentials to be used to receive the victims’ funds before transferring the money further within the fraud network.
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Police Facilitate Partial Refund To Victims
During the investigation, cybercrime officials were able to secure refunds of ₹12.54 lakh for some victims through coordinated financial tracking and intervention.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining funds and identify additional individuals linked to the fraud network.
Police Issue Advisory Against Online Investment Scams
Following the arrests, officials warned citizens to remain cautious about online investment offers circulating through social media platforms and messaging groups.
They advised people to verify trading platforms and brokers through the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) before investing and to avoid joining unknown WhatsApp or Telegram groups promising quick profits.
Police also reiterated that victims of cyber fraud should immediately report incidents through the national cybercrime helpline (1930) or the online reporting portal to improve the chances of fund recovery.
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.
