SIx individuals were arrested by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) in a coordinated inter-State operation in connection with multiple high-value cyber fraud cases that together caused losses exceeding ₹16 crore to victims in Hyderabad.
As part of the ongoing investigation, TGCSB teams conducted simultaneous raids in Kerala and Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of three accused in each location. The arrested persons include five bank account holders and one agent who facilitated the movement of fraud proceeds for international cybercrime networks.
In one case registered in December 2024, a senior citizen woman was allegedly cheated of ₹5.66 crore by fraudsters posing as officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Reserve Bank of India. Police said the victim received a call on November 13, 2024, claiming her Aadhaar-linked phone number was involved in criminal activities.
Citing ‘digital arrest’, she and her daughters were allegedly forced to remain under constant surveillance through Skype and were sent forged documents bearing fake CBI and RBI logos. Under sustained psychological pressure, the victim transferred large sums through RTGS between November 13 and December 3, including by prematurely closing fixed deposits. The fraud came to light only after she visited the CBI office in Koti, Hyderabad, and learnt that all documents were fabricated.
In connection with this case, a 30-year-old Renju Pathakku, a businessman from Pathanamthitta district in Kerala was arrested for providing his company’s bank account as a mule account after suffering losses in his own business. A mobile phone was seized from him.
In another case registered on October 27, 2025 a senior citizen man was allegedly cheated of ₹7.12 crore through a similar ‘digital arrest’ scam. The fraud began with a WhatsApp call claiming to be from Blue Dart alleging that a parcel linked to him contained illegal items. This was followed by calls from individuals posing as police officers who accused him of serious offences and coerced him into transferring money while maintaining secrecy.
Two accused from Kerala, identified as Arun Sreenivas, 41, a digital marketing professional, and Sanal V Menon, 48, a banking and finance consultant, were arrested for allowing their bank accounts to be used for receiving the fraud proceeds in return for commission. Two mobile phones were seized.
The third case relates to an online trading and IPO fraud in which a businessman from Begumpet lost ₹3.40 crore. Police said the victim was approached through WhatsApp on October 2, 2025 by a person posing as a stock market professor, who promised high returns through investments on a purported trading platform. The victim ended up investing over ₹3.4 crore over 22 days. After initially showing small profits, the fraudsters pressured him to invest larger sums. When he attempted to withdraw his funds, he was asked to deposit more money, prompting him to lodge a complaint.
Three accused were arrested in Bengaluru in this case, including V. Jayaprakash, 43, Balaraju, 51, both directors of Zip Cleaning Services Pvt Ltd, and Balaraju G., 55 a businessman, who supplied company bank accounts and linked mobile phones to facilitate fraudulent transactions. Investigators said the accused conspired to misuse corporate accounts and electronic devices to route money to the main fraudsters. Three mobile phones were seized, and efforts are under way to trace other absconding accused.
Meanwhile, the TGCSB urged people to remain vigilant and warned against sharing bank accounts or credentials with anyone offering commission or claiming it would help avoid tax or legal issues. Officials said such requests are a common tactic used in cyber fraud and money laundering networks.
Published – January 27, 2026 08:09 pm IST
