The arrest of Immadi Ravi, the alleged architect of one of India’s largest digital piracy networks, has triggered a widening investigation that now spans multiple laws, jurisdictions and agencies. Days after his detention, Hyderabad’s Cyber Crime Police have added new forgery-related charges, bringing the total number of criminal sections against him to more than 13. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also entered the case, signaling that authorities are preparing for a far broader legal battle centered on money laundering and transnational financial flows.
New Charges Detail Forgery, Identity Fraud
Officials said Ravi fraudulently acquired key identity documents—including a PAN card, a two-wheeler licence and a vehicle registration certificate—by using the personal details of an individual named Prahlad. Police have now filed a court memo adding three sections related to forgery and identity theft. These charges come atop earlier allegations under the Information Technology (IT) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Cinematography Act and the Foreigners Act.
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If convicted, Ravi could face a three-to-seven-year prison term.
A Network Behind Massive Losses to the Film Industry
Ravi is accused of masterminding the iBomma piracy ecosystem, which allegedly operated more than 70 mirror websites and relied on an international infrastructure designed to avoid shutdowns. According to the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC), the piracy network inflicted losses of roughly ₹3,700 crore on the Telugu film industry in 2024.
High-profile films—including Kuberaa, Single, and HIT: The Third Case—were among those illegally uploaded hours after release, often drawing millions of views across iBomma and its associated domains.
While the operation primarily targeted Telugu cinema, investigators say it also distributed pirated content in Hindi, English and several regional languages, driving a wider underground economy of illegal streaming.
Money Trail and Global Links Under Tight Scrutiny
Police officers say the coming days will be crucial, with investigators focused on unraveling the financial and technical backbone of the network. Ravi’s cryptocurrency holdings—allegedly used to launder profits from the piracy operation—are now a major component of the interrogation.
Authorities confirmed that crypto transfers of approximately ₹15 lakh per month were traced to Ravi’s NRI accounts abroad. Ravi, who holds citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis, reportedly travelled frequently to the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and the United States to coordinate with betting app operators and partners who helped sustain the global infrastructure supporting iBomma.
A local court has granted five-day custody for further questioning.
Enforcement Directorate Enters the Case
The ED’s involvement marks a significant escalation. With alleged illegal earnings of about ₹20 crore and more than ₹3.5 crore already frozen in bank accounts, investigators believe the money trail extends across multiple countries and financial intermediaries. The ED is preparing to register an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Government officials say the collaboration between the ED and local police may uncover additional layers of the network, including foreign associates who supplied hosting services, payment channels and backend support for iBomma’s operations.
Impact on India’s Film Industry and Digital Security
The case has renewed debate within the film industry about the economic and security risks digital piracy poses—not only the erosion of box-office revenue but also the exposure of user data through illicit streaming platforms often tied to betting apps, malware and data theft.
Authorities say the widening probe could serve as a template for future investigations into digital piracy networks that operate across borders and leverage cryptocurrency, proxy servers and mirror-site farms to evade regulation.
For now, officials expect more arrests and a more expansive inquiry as agencies trace the network’s full financial architecture. “This case is much larger than just one platform,” said a senior investigator familiar with the probe. “We are looking at the ecosystem that enabled it.”
