Malkajgiri police expose pan-India cyber fraud network, 7 arrested
HYDERABAD: The Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS), Malkajgiri Commissionerate, detected six cybercrime cases and arrested seven offenders during the week from February 22 to February 28, 2026. Police said investigations revealed pan-India links in the fraud networks.
According to data released by CCPS, the cases included three investment frauds, one matrimony fraud, one loan app fraud and one digital arrest case. A total of seven accused were apprehended.
Pan-India network traced in multiple cases
In the investment fraud category, three cases were registered, leading to four arrests. One case each was booked under matrimony fraud, loan app fraud and digital arrest, resulting in one arrest in each category.
Cyber Crime police also processed court-approved refunds amounting to ₹53,27,700 to victims during the week.
Investment fraud accused held in Khammam
In one investment fraud case, police arrested Vallepu Somaraju, 34, a real estate businessman from Mamillagudem near TGGVB in Khammam district. He allegedly provided his Axis Bank account to fraudsters on commission.
The complainant was cheated by persons posing as the Chief Investment Officer of Samco Securities India Pvt Ltd. He was asked to download the “SAMCCHNI App” and join a WhatsApp group showing fictitious profits. Believing the claims, he transferred ₹4,50,000 to a Bank of Baroda account, of which ₹2,25,000 was routed to the accused’s Axis Bank account.
Police traced the money trail to Khammam and apprehended the accused, who allegedly facilitated transfer of cheated funds to linked accounts.
Digital arrest fraud accused nabbed
In a digital arrest case, police arrested Dhanush Kalli of Serilingampally, Ranga Reddy district, for allegedly procuring and supplying bank accounts to fraudsters.
On January 14, 2026, the complainant received calls from persons impersonating officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and later the Central Bureau of Investigation. They falsely accused her of money laundering and misuse of Aadhaar details, subjected her to continuous video calls and pressured her to maintain secrecy.
Under duress, she transferred ₹68,47,351 through RTGS, including ₹22,70,000 from her husband’s State Bank of India account and ₹45,70,000 from her own account.
Matrimony fraud accused arrested
Police arrested A. Praveena of Langer House, Hyderabad, in a matrimony fraud case. She allegedly provided bank account details to fraudsters on commission.
The complainant met a person identifying himself as “William Sangma Aman” on a Christian matrimony website. Claiming detention at Delhi airport for carrying foreign currency, the accused and associates sought payments towards release charges, taxes and legal fees. Between November 2025 and February 2026, the victim transferred ₹1,09,23,500 before realising the fraud.
Investment fraud through fake trading apps
In another case, Nakka Vijay Kumar of Ravirala, Hayathnagar, was arrested for allegedly facilitating an investment fraud by arranging bank accounts.
The victim was lured through a YouTube advertisement and added to a fake WhatsApp group impersonating LKP Securities. He was induced to download a fraudulent trading app and invest in institutional trades and IPOs. He invested ₹59,37,831 in 27 transactions, received ₹69,500, and suffered a net loss of ₹58,68,331.
In a separate investment fraud case, Reyyi Appalaswamy and Pusapati Kotesh of Somajiguda, Hyderabad, were arrested. The complainant was induced through Instagram and WhatsApp messages to invest nearly ₹80 lakh in IPOs and stock trading via a fraudulent app. Funds were layered through a “Rajesh Motors” account in Maharashtra before being transferred to a Punjab National Bank account in Somajiguda.
Loan app fraud accused held
In a loan app fraud case, police arrested Katravath Sainath of Hyderabad.
On June 23, 2025, the victim responded to an Instagram post about Dhani loans and was contacted by persons posing as representatives of Indiabulls offering a personal loan of ₹5 lakh. After sharing Aadhaar, PAN and bank details, she transferred ₹2,04,656 towards security deposit and processing charges. No loan was disbursed.
Police said Sainath and his associate operated from Mumbai, targeting loan applicants using mobile data, issuing fake sanction letters and Reserve Bank of India documents, and sharing the proceeds, with Sainath receiving a 15% commission.
Advisory issued to public
Police advised citizens not to trust unknown calls, social media investment advertisements, or online job offers without verification. They cautioned against renting or selling bank accounts, downloading trading apps from unknown links, or paying additional charges such as “profit tax” or “account unfreezing fees”.
Victims of cyber fraud were asked to report immediately at the nearest police station, call 1930, or lodge complaints at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
