Daijiworld Media Network - Anantapur

Anantapur, Aug 1: In a major breakthrough, Anantapur police have arrested a five-member gang involved in a massive online investment scam with international links to Cambodia. The fraud, described as the biggest cybercrime case in the district's history, came to light after a local software engineer was duped of Rs 1.74 cr.

SP P Jagadish said the gang used fake investment apps and WhatsApp groups to trap victims. “The money was laundered through fake accounts in Delhi and later routed abroad via cryptocurrency,” he explained.

Police seized Rs 41.20 lac in cash, eight mobile phones, 20 ATM cards, 15 SIM cards, 10 cheque books, five bank passbooks, a car, and two Wi-Fi routers from the accused.

The victim, Narasimhappa from Rayadurgam Mandal, was lured through a Facebook post into a fake scheme run via apps like ‘VIP66 Bajaj Investment’ and ‘K26 Zerodha Market Insights’. Initially allowed to withdraw fake profits, he was eventually made to transfer over Rs 1.73 crore between April 15 and May 14 this year.

The fraud was exposed after he was asked to pay a 40 percent “tax” to withdraw his supposed Rs 3.4 crore returns, prompting a police complaint. Investigations revealed the funds were routed through 13 fake accounts across the country.

The arrested include Bhavanesh Goyal (48, Delhi), Dharmendra Singh (43, UP), Sapireddy Kodandaram Durgasai Prasad (32, Hyderabad), Kongati Krishna (43) and Vadlamudi Phanikumar (39), both from NTR district. Police said a private bank manager who aided the gang is likely to be arrested soon.