The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested three individuals involved in a sophisticated cyber fraud racket that allegedly siphoned off over ₹44 lakh from unsuspecting victims through fraudulent online activities.
The accused—identified as R. Gopi (28), K. Srikanth (26), and B. Mahesh (27)—were apprehended from different locations in Telangana following an intelligence-led operation. According to police officials, the trio operated a network that used fake SIM cards, forged Aadhaar documents, and fraudulent bank accounts to carry out phishing and social engineering scams.
Modus Operandi: Identity Theft and Money Mules
Authorities revealed that the accused lured victims by sending fake investment opportunities and job offers through emails and messaging apps. Once trust was established, victims were tricked into transferring money to mule accounts—bank accounts opened using fabricated documents and credentials.
During raids on the premises linked to the suspects, law enforcement recovered:
- 107 mobile SIM cards
- 48 bank passbooks
- 37 debit cards
- Forged Aadhaar cards
- Multiple mobile phones and laptops used in the operations
Police officials emphasised that these SIM cards and accounts were often rotated among gang members to evade detection. “They used well-planned strategies to create layers of anonymity. The digital footprints were intentionally made murky,” said a senior investigating officer.
Police Urge Vigilance as Digital Crime Rises
The case adds to the growing list of cyber fraud incidents reported in Hyderabad, a city increasingly grappling with white-collar crimes involving digital impersonation, UPI frauds, and SIM swapping.
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have urged citizens to verify job or investment messages, avoid clicking on unknown links, and report suspicious activities through the 1930 cyber fraud helpline or cybercrime.gov.in.
The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act, including charges of cheating, forgery, and identity theft. Further investigations are underway to trace additional accomplices and digital footprints.