Status: Not ApprovedHEAD: 24_Hyd_AT_unlisted_Khammam fraudsterByline: Ajay TomarKhammam police busted cyber fraud racket and arrested 14 personsHyderabad: The Khammam police recently busted an alleged cyber fraud racket, arresting 14 persons for cheating citizens through fake online investment, trading and betting schemes. 8 more accused are absconding, police said.The accused were identified as Udatneni Vikas Choudary, a resident of Hyderabad and a native of Mushtibanda in Dammmapet mandal; his wife, Boppana Nagagria; and Adapa Rama Venkata Charan Choudary, alias Charan.According to the Sathupalli police, during questioning in the presence of mediators, Charan reportedly revealed that since 2020 the main accused ran online gaming and betting operations and had links with foreign cyber criminals. They allegedly operated call centres that contacted Indian citizens, luring them with promises of high returns in stock trading, crypto trading, gaming, betting, OTP fraud and matrimony schemes. Victims who responded were added to the social media groups and sent fraudulent links and QR codes, through which money was siphoned from their bank accounts.Police said the accused also opened multiple current bank accounts through agents by offering monthly payments of ₹50,000 and commissions of ₹10,000–₹20,000 per account. The accused admitted to facilitating the opening of 22 such accounts and receiving commission from the main accused. The defrauded money was routed through multiple accounts and converted into US dollars and cryptocurrency.A case was registered under BNS Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338 read with 3(5) and Section 66-D of the IT Act, 2000–2008, at Sathupalli PS. The accused were sent on judicial remand, and further investigation is underway. MSID:: 128755376 413 |
