Cyber police arrest two account suppliers in ₹59 lakh ‘digital arrest’ fraud case
HYDERABAD: Cyber Crime Police, Hyderabad City, have arrested two accused in a major “digital arrest” cyber fraud case involving the cheating of a senior citizen of ₹59 lakh. The arrests were made in FIR No. 2216/2025 registered under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act and Sections 111(2)(b), 308(2), 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338 and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The arrested accused were identified as A-2 Surampudi Chandrasekhar, 31, and A-3 Emandi Venkat Naveen, 25, both residents of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Police said the two acted as account suppliers in an organised interstate cyber fraud racket.
Victim intimidated with fake cases and arrest warrants
According to police, on December 4, 2025, the victim received WhatsApp calls from unknown persons impersonating police and government officials. The callers falsely alleged his involvement in human trafficking, overseas job fraud and money laundering, and sent forged arrest warrants through WhatsApp to intimidate him.
Under continuous threats of arrest, the victim transferred ₹59,00,300 through RTGS from his Union Bank of India account between December 4 and December 6, 2025.
Cryptocurrency route used to launder proceeds
Police said the accused were part of a larger network that operated the “digital arrest” scam by creating fear through video and voice calls. The fraudsters forced victims to transfer money into multiple bank accounts, gained access to internet banking and SMS services using malicious APK files, and routed the funds through shell firm accounts.
The amounts were later converted into cryptocurrency, primarily USDT, and withdrawn through Binance peer-to-peer transactions into personal accounts. Investigators said the arrested accused had facilitated at least 15 current bank accounts for the prime accused.
Linked to cases worth ₹8 crore nationwide
Police said the accused were involved in 65 cyber fraud cases across several states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. In Telangana alone, they were linked to five cases, including three registered with Cyber Crime Police Stations in Hyderabad and Cyberabad, and one case in Sangareddy Rural police station.
The total fraud amount involved in the cases nationwide was estimated at ₹8 crore.
Seizures and investigation
During the arrests, police seized five mobile phones, four cheque books, 10 debit cards and three PAN cards. Other accused in the case are on the run. The arrested accused have been remanded to judicial custody, and further investigation is in progress.
Police said the case was detected by a team led by inspector N. Dilip Kumar of Cyber Crime Police Station, Hyderabad, under the supervision of assistant commissioners of police R.G. Siva Maruthi and Jaypal Reddy.
Public advisory
Issuing an advisory, cyber crime police reiterated that there is no concept of “digital arrest” and that government or law enforcement agencies never demand money over phone or video calls. Citizens were cautioned against downloading APK files or clicking suspicious links sent through SMS or WhatsApp.
Victims of cyber fraud were urged to report incidents immediately by dialling the national helpline 1930 or by lodging complaints on www.cybercrime.gov.in.
