Four persons were arrested for operating an online gaming and betting fraud network, with transactions amounting to ₹26.07 crore, by the Cyber Crime Police of Hyderabad.
The accused were identified as 48-year-old Rajesh Venkata Raman, 27-year-old Bhamidipati Abhishek, 38-year-old Augustene Williams, and 40-year-old Manmeet Sharma alias Sonya. Police said the group facilitated large-scale financial transactions for illegal betting platforms through payment gateways and mule bank accounts.
The case came to light after a 24-year-old woman from Hyderabad reported losing around ₹30 lakh after being lured through an Instagram advertisement. She was directed to a gaming platform via WhatsApp and initially allowed small withdrawals to build trust before being induced to deposit larger amounts through multiple UPI transactions. The victim later found her bank accounts frozen due to suspicious activity, resulting in loss of savings and restricted access to remaining funds.
Investigations revealed that the accused created and operated payment gateways such as CloseX Pay, Trustly Pay and Accult Pay, enabling transactions through UPI, IMPS and cards while charging commissions. Mule accounts were opened in the names of shell companies using fabricated documents, and funds were routed through multiple layers before being transferred further.
Police said the network handled over ₹26 crore through betting websites, with commissions shared among those involved. Efforts are underway to trace the money trail and apprehend two absconding accused, identified as Andy alias Shaheer and Rushabh Jasvantrai Gandhi.
During the operation, officials seized four laptops, six mobile phones, nine cheque books, two shell company stamps and ₹6.5 lakh in cash.
Police cautioned the public against online gaming and betting platforms, stating that such activities are prohibited under the Telangana Gaming Act and are often designed to lure users with initial gains before causing financial losses.
Published – March 26, 2026 06:50 pm IST
