Khammam | January 11, 2026 | Police in Telangana’s Khammam district have uncovered what is being described as the largest cyber fraud case in the state so far, exposing a scam involving nearly Rs 547 crore. The investigation has revealed the role of an organised gang with links to international cybercrime networks. District police have so far arrested 18 of the 24 accused named in the case, while efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects.
Briefing the media at the Penuballi police station on Sunday, Commissioner of Police Sunil Dutt said the accused were operating a well-structured cyber fraud syndicate that targeted people across the country. Victims were lured using fake job offers, fraudulent investment schemes, matrimony portals and cryptocurrency trading opportunities, he said.
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According to police, the case came to light on December 24, 2025, after a complaint was lodged by Moduga Saikiran, a resident of Tumburu village in Sathupalli mandal. Saikiran reported suspicious financial transactions, prompting the police to initiate a detailed probe that eventually exposed a massive cybercrime operation spanning multiple locations.
As part of the investigation, police scrutinised the bank accounts of the prime accused and their family members, uncovering transactions amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees. Investigators found that Rs 114.18 crore had passed through the account of accused Potru Manoj Kalyan, while Rs 45.62 crore was routed through two bank accounts held by his wife, Meda Bhanupriya.
Further analysis revealed transactions of Rs 135.48 crore in the account of Meda Sathish, Manoj Kalyan’s brother-in-law. Another Rs 81.72 crore was traced to the account of Bommidala Nagalakshmi. Police also identified Rs 92.54 crore in the Narasimha Kirana and Dairy account belonging to Tatikonda Raju of Karimnagar, and Rs 80.41 crore in the account of prime accused Udathaneni Vikas Chowdary.
Police said the accused targeted unemployed youth from Sathupalli and surrounding areas by promising them jobs. Once convinced, the youth were made to open bank accounts in prominent banks. The accused allegedly retained full control over these accounts, which were later used to receive and transfer proceeds generated through cyber fraud.
“The money obtained from cybercrime was first credited to these accounts. It was then layered through multiple current accounts before finally being transferred to the personal accounts of the accused,” the Commissioner of Police said. From there, the funds were converted into foreign currency and cryptocurrency, making the trail harder to track.
Investigators also found that the gang was working in coordination with international cybercriminals operating call centres abroad. Victims were approached under various pretexts, including investment opportunities, online gaming, reward points, betting, stock market tips and cryptocurrency trading.
Once victims showed interest, they were added to Telegram groups and sent fraudulent links. Clicking on these links led to the compromise of their bank accounts, which were subsequently emptied, police said. The stolen money was later converted into US dollars and cryptocurrency, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
In the initial phase of the probe, Potru Praveen was arrested and produced before a court. Subsequently, police arrested several others for assisting the racket by providing bank accounts and logistical support.
Those arrested include residents of Sadashivapalem, Seetharampuram, Ramanagaram, Thummuru and Lingapalem villages. Police said the accused played different roles in facilitating account creation, fund transfers and operational logistics for the cyber fraud network.
Senior police officials said the investigation is still underway and that several more individuals and bank accounts suspected of aiding the scam are being identified. “Field-level investigation is continuing. No accused will be spared, and strict legal action will be taken against everyone involved,” the Commissioner of Police said.
He also urged unemployed youth and the general public to remain cautious and not fall prey to offers promising easy money, fake jobs or unrealistic investment returns, warning that greed often becomes the first step toward large-scale cyber fraud.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
