The Andhra Pradesh police have uncovered a massive cyber fraud racket worth approximately ₹89 crore. The operation led to the arrest of three individuals in Kakinada, who allegedly used digital deception and fake investment platforms to lure and defraud unsuspecting victims across the country.
Fraud Network Operated Through Fake Investment Apps
According to Kakinada Superintendent of Police, M. Ravindranath Babu, the fraudsters created fake online investment platforms that promised high returns on investments in short durations. Victims were directed to transfer funds to various bank accounts linked to mule account holders and shell companies.
The cyber cell investigation revealed that the trio operated through a sophisticated digital infrastructure, utilizing international payment gateways and digital wallets. They impersonated representatives of reputed financial institutions and used spoofed caller IDs to gain victims’ trust. The funds were then layered through multiple channels to avoid detection and ultimately routed overseas through cryptocurrency exchanges.
Seizures Include Digital Evidence, Bank Records
During the raid, the police seized several mobile phones, SIM cards, and laptops containing evidence of transaction records, chat histories, and communication with victims. Bank statements showed high-value transactions made over a short period, indicating a coordinated financial scam. The suspects are currently in police custody and are being interrogated to identify the larger network.
Investigations suggest that the operation was linked to cybercriminals based outside India, hinting at a cross-border syndicate targeting Indian citizens. The Andhra Pradesh Cyber Crime Wing has notified central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate and CERT-In, to assist with further investigation.
The police have also issued a public advisory warning citizens against falling for “get-rich-quick” digital schemes and urged people to verify the authenticity of any financial platform before making online transactions.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.