Operation Ignite crackdown nets six arrests

Hyderabad: Hyderabad City Police arrested six persons across four states under the Operation Ignite crackdown and alleged that they were operating a money circulation network under the banner of IGNITE, which investigators described as a continuation of the previously controversial QNET-linked model. Police said the intervention came within 18 days of the Indian entity’s formation and prevented a potential large-scale fraud.

The Central Crime Station (CCS), Detective Department, launched the operation after receiving three complaints from Hyderabad victims between June 5 and June 6, 2026. Investigators said the victims collectively lost about Rs.1.87 lakh after being recruited through WhatsApp messages, Zoom presentations and face-to-face interactions. Despite different recruitment methods, all payments were allegedly routed to the same collection infrastructure, prompting suspicion of a coordinated network.

Police registered FIR Nos. 119, 120 and 121 of 2026 and subsequently consolidated the investigation. During the operation, teams conducted action across Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and arrested six accused, including recruiters, company directors and alleged facilitators linked to the network.

Investigators identified the arrested persons as Oneal Gupta, Dinesh Kumar Saahil, Priyanshu Saxena, Praveen Kumar Dakalia, Paritosh Kumar Dakalia and Riyaz. Police alleged that the accused used different approaches to attract victims but channelled funds through common entities, including Parasnath Mercantile Pvt. Ltd. and Indi Konnect Ventures Pvt. Ltd.

Operation Ignite crackdown uncovers recruitment and money trail

According to the investigation, IGNITE was operating through Indi Konnect Ventures Pvt. Ltd., a company incorporated on May 18, 2026. Police alleged that the company’s structure and compensation model were designed around recruitment-based earnings and fell within the scope of prohibited money circulation activities under Indian law. Investigators also claimed that several individuals associated with IGNITE had previously worked with QNET-linked operations.

Police said the probe uncovered an alleged international money trail that moved funds collected from victims through multiple intermediaries before reaching overseas accounts. Investigators are examining links involving entities and individuals based in India, Hong Kong and other countries. They also alleged that the network used products such as Semetra, Activa, Brush-O and brAInify as part of its marketing strategy.

The accused have been booked under Sections 318(4), 316(2) read with 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, provisions of the Telangana Protection of Depositors of Financial Establishments Act, the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978, and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. Further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.

Police said they would coordinate with national agencies, including the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, SFIO and the Enforcement Directorate, to examine the alleged money trail and international connections. Authorities also issued a public advisory warning citizens against joining recruitment-driven money circulation schemes and urged people to report suspicious activities.