Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police carried out a large-scale crackdown in May 2026, arresting 74 accused involved in multiple online fraud cases and dismantling a wide range of cybercrime operations including investment fraud, OTP scams, job fraud, matrimonial cheating and digital arrest cases. During the same month, authorities also helped victims recover ₹68.27 lakh lost to cyber fraud.
According to the monthly review by the Cyber Crime Wing, a total of 54 FIRs were registered in May. Investigations across these cases led to coordinated action against offenders operating through a mix of social media platforms, fake investment schemes and anonymous communication channels.
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A major highlight of the operation was the action against a pan-India “ghost SIM” network believed to be facilitating cybercriminal activities by providing untraceable mobile connections. Under Operation Octopus 3.0, police arrested 66 individuals across 13 states, including SIM card holders, distribution agents and supply chain operatives linked to the illegal network.
Officials said the ghost SIM infrastructure was being used to mask identities and enable fraudsters to operate without detection while conducting scams such as fake investment offers, trading fraud and impersonation-based crimes. The crackdown is being viewed as one of the most significant actions against telecom-enabled cyber fraud networks in recent months.
In addition to arrests, cyber patrol teams actively monitored and removed online content promoting illegal activities. Authorities identified and blocked 251 social media profiles that were running 304 paid advertisements linked to betting apps, fraudulent investment platforms and fake earning schemes.
Investigators noted that many of these advertisements used psychological manipulation techniques, including promises of quick profits, referral incentives and in some cases deepfake videos of well-known personalities to gain user trust and lure victims into financial traps.
Officials confirmed that so far, cyber surveillance operations have led to the removal of 678 social media profiles and more than 2,200 paid advertisements associated with illegal betting and fraudulent investment activities, significantly reducing online exposure to such scams.
Despite the large number of cases, the Cyber Crime Wing reported successful recovery efforts during the month. Victims were refunded ₹68.27 lakh across 25 cyber fraud cases, even though the total financial losses in those cases exceeded ₹10 crore. Authorities said most recoveries were made possible through rapid reporting and timely freezing of suspicious transactions.
The report further stated that investment and trading frauds remained the most damaging category, accounting for the highest financial losses among all cybercrime types reported in Hyderabad during May.
The city’s Zonal Cyber Cells also received 2,531 complaints via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Out of these, 349 FIRs were registered, and 23 accused were arrested in 18 separate cases. In addition, victims received refunds totaling ₹25.32 lakh through coordinated intervention and banking response mechanisms.
As part of its victim support system, the Cyber Crime Wing’s C-Mitra initiative played a crucial role by contacting over 1,100 victims directly. The initiative also helped facilitate the registration of 252 Zero FIRs, ensuring faster legal action and immediate assistance to those affected by online fraud.
Officials emphasized that cybercrime networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often operating across multiple states and using layered systems of communication, fake identities and digital payment routes to evade detection.
They also highlighted that fraudsters are continuously evolving their methods, shifting from simple phishing attempts to complex ecosystems involving ghost SIMs, cloned websites and coordinated advertising campaigns across social media platforms.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious while engaging in online financial transactions and to verify all investment offers, job opportunities and app-based earning schemes before committing any funds. They stressed that awareness and quick reporting remain the most effective tools in preventing large-scale financial losses.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Wing said it will continue its intensified monitoring and enforcement actions in the coming months, with a focus on dismantling organized cyber fraud networks and strengthening digital safety mechanisms across platforms.
