MANCHERIAL: A multi-agency investigation has revealed a sophisticated cyber fraud setup in Jannaram town, Mancherial district. The operation, jointly led by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and the Ramagundam Commissionerate Police, resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of over 230 illegally obtained SIM cards and five SIM Box devices.
The operation began after a complaint was filed on the Chakshu Portal of the DoT. The complainant had received threatening calls from individuals posing as government officials, a method often used to manipulate victims into compliance. Following this, an investigation was launched under the supervision of TGCSB Director Shikha Goel and Ramagundam Commissioner of Police Amber Kishor Jha.
Equipment Seized, Network Mapped
The authorities traced the scam using call detail records and IMEI link analysis. The trail led to a rented house in Jannaram, where a raid was conducted on July 29, 2025. The arrested individuals were identified as Yandrapu Kamesh (24), Bavu Bapaiah (43), Bavu Madhukar (32), and Gotla Rajeshwer (40).
Items recovered include 5 SIM Box devices, 230 SIM cards (from Jio, Airtel, and Vi), an HP laptop, multiple smartphones, Airtel fibre equipment, and networking hardware. Investigations revealed that the SIM cards were procured from several regions, including Parvathipuram in Andhra Pradesh, with the help of a person named Simhadri.
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Operation Traced to Cambodia-Based Mastermind
The mastermind, identified as Jack alias Palavalsula Sai Krishna from Visakhapatnam, is suspected to be operating out of Cambodia. He initially met Bapaiah in Chandigarh and later reconnected in Cambodia. Jack reportedly promised a monthly payment of ₹30,000 and a share in profits to the local operatives.
Upon Bapaiah’s return to India in April 2025, he arranged the setup in Jannaram with assistance from his brother-in-law Rajeshwer. SIM Box devices were shipped from Cambodia, and the setup was completed with help from Bapaiah’s younger brother, Madhukar.
Yandrapu Kamesh, a polytechnic diploma holder under financial strain, was recruited with the promise of a ₹70,000 monthly salary. The setup was used to make calls impersonating government agencies, threatening victims with legal action to extract money.
The accused are currently in custody. Authorities are now tracing additional international links in what appears to be a transnational cybercrime ring.