Khammam cybercrime gang held for ₹547 crore fraud

Hyderabad: Police arrested 18 members of a Khammam-based cybercrime gang for cheating people of ₹547 crore through online fraud. Khammam Police Commissioner Sunil Dutt disclosed the arrests on Sunday.

Addressing the media at Penuballi Police Station, the Commissioner said the gang spread fake links and manipulated bank accounts. They siphoned off huge sums through coordinated transactions. Police registered the case on December 24 after a complaint from Moduga Sai Kiran of Thumburu village in Sathupalli mandal.

During the probe, police identified key accused, including Udatneni Vikasdari, Potru Manoj Kalyan, Potru Praveen, Meda Bhanu Prakash, Meda Sathish, and Morampudi Chennakesava. Investigators found that the group handled transactions worth ₹547 crore through multiple bank accounts.

Investigators traced ₹114.18 crore to Manoj Kalyan’s account. They linked ₹45.62 crore to two accounts held by his wife, Bhanupriya. Sathish’s account handled ₹135.48 crore. Police also tracked ₹81.72 crore to an account of Bommidala Nagalakshmi. Another ₹92.54 crore flowed through a Karimnagar grocery and dairy account linked to Tatikonda Raju. Vikasdari’s account received ₹80.41 crore.

Khammam cybercrime gang used mule accounts and fake links

Police said the gang targeted unemployed youth from villages around Sathupalli. The accused promised jobs and persuaded them to open bank accounts. They later collected login details and used these accounts as mule accounts.

Meanwhile, the gang worked with international cybercriminals and ran overseas call centres. They cheated victims across India using fake investment schemes, matrimonial offers, reward points, online gaming, betting, share trading, and cryptocurrency scams.

First, the gang added victims to Telegram groups. Next, they sent fraudulent links. Once victims clicked the links, the fraudsters drained their bank accounts. The gang moved the money through agent accounts and current accounts before transferring it to personal accounts.

Police also arrested accomplices from Sadasivapalem, Seetarampuram, Ramanagaram, Thumburu, Lingapalem, and Karimnagar. Officers had already arrested Potru Praveen earlier and produced him before a court.

Finally, police said they continue the investigation to trace the full money trail and identify more suspects.