Pressmediaofindia
Related Articles
A woman was allegedly cheated of Rs.6,60,543 after fraudsters impersonated Bangalore Police through WhatsApp and threatened her under the pretext of Digital Arrest.
HYDERABAD, Nov. 14 (Najaf Ali Shoukat-PMI): The Cyber Crime Police of Hyderabad City have arrested a 24-year-old man for his alleged involvement in a Digital Arrest cyber fraud case in which a woman was cheated of Rs.6.60 lakh by fraudsters impersonating Bangalore Police through WhatsApp.
The accused, identified as Sambit Kumar Naik, a freelance model from Rourkela in Odisha, was apprehended on November 8, 2026. Police seized one mobile phone from his possession.
Rahul Hedge B.K., IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cyber Crimes, Hyderabad City,, the accused allegedly played a key role in supplying mule bank accounts and registered SIM cards to cyber fraudsters, including Chinese nationals operating through Telegram. He facilitated the collection of banking-related One-Time Passwords (OTPs), enabling fraudulent transactions and the transfer of proceeds generated through cybercrime activities.
The case came to light following a complaint received on September 15, 2025, from a family member of the victim. The complainant stated that his deceased mother had been contacted by fraudsters impersonating Bangalore Police through WhatsApp. Using the police logo, fabricated investigation reports and forged official documents, the fraudsters allegedly threatened her with legal action under the pretext of a so-called Digital Arrest.
Under continuous threats and mental harassment, the woman was induced to transfer Rs.6,60,543 from her Union Bank of India pension account. The victim reportedly suffered severe cardiac distress and died on September 8, 2025.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that he came into contact with cyber fraudsters through Telegram due to financial difficulties and began arranging bank accounts and SIM cards in return for commissions. He reportedly established links with an associate identified as Viraj and Chinese nationals operating from Cambodia under the name of HYPAY Company.
Police further stated that the accused coordinated the collection of bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books and SIM cards to facilitate fraudulent transactions. He allegedly recruited associates and received commissions based on transactions conducted through the supplied accounts.
Investigations also revealed that approximately three cybercrime cases across India were registered in connection with suspected fraudulent transactions involving an ICICI Bank account linked to the accused.
Police records indicate that Naik had previously been arrested in January 2025 by Pimpri Chinchwad Cyber Crime Police and was also arrested by Kalepadal Police in separate cybercrime cases. After spending approximately six months in judicial custody, he was released and allegedly resumed his involvement in cyber fraud activities.
A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway.
The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of R.G. Siva Maruthi, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cyber Crime Police Station, Hyderabad City. Inspector Y. Gowru Naidu and Team-1 personnel were appreciated for their efforts in apprehending the accused. (pressmediaofindia.com)
.
