In a significant crackdown, the Annamayya district police in Andhra Pradesh have successfully dismantled an international cybercrime syndicate operating from Cambodia and Kuwait. The gang orchestrated a sophisticated scam, defrauding a 75-year-old retired nurse from Madanapalle of a staggering ₹48 lakh by impersonating top central investigative agencies.
The Elaborate Digital Deception
The victim, identified as R Benjamin, was targeted through a video call where fraudsters posed as officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The accused spun a false narrative, claiming Benjamin's name had been linked to serious drug trafficking cases and fake First Information Reports (FIRs). Using the authority of these agencies as a shield, they threatened him with immediate arrest.
To escalate the pressure, the criminals placed the elderly man under what they termed a "digital arrest," a coercive tactic designed to instill fear and prevent him from seeking help. Under this prolonged psychological threat, Benjamin was forced to transfer his life savings, amounting to ₹48 lakh, to accounts specified by the fraudsters.
Police Action and Major Seizures
Acting swiftly on technical surveillance leads, a special team from the Madanapalle One Town police launched an operation in Rayachoti. This led to the arrest of three key individuals believed to be integral to the racket's Indian operations: Pathan Imtiyaz Khan, Sheikh Ameen, and Sheikh Arshad.
During the arrests, police made substantial recoveries, including:
- ₹32 lakh in cash
- 25 ATM cards
- Three mobile phones
- Four SIM cards
Furthermore, an additional ₹7.65 lakh found in bank accounts linked to the accused has been frozen. Superintendent of Police Dheeraj Kunubilli explained the gang's modus operandi, noting they would immediately withdraw the duped money. The funds were then routed through multiple accounts and cash-deposit machines in a bid to obscure the trail, after which all evidence, especially on WhatsApp, was meticulously deleted.
Wider Network and Public Advisory
Investigations reveal that the arrested trio are part of a larger international network that uses scripted calls to intimidate and extort money from victims. The alleged mastermind, Sheikh Ali, is suspected to be operating from Kuwait. Authorities have issued a Look Out Circular to secure his arrest and are intensifying efforts to trace other members of this overseas syndicate.
Issuing a stern public advisory, SP Kunubilli emphasized a crucial point for citizen safety. "No government agency, including the CBI, ED, or state police, ever asks for money through video calls or subjects anyone to a 'digital arrest,'" he stated. He urged people not to panic when receiving such calls but to immediately report them to the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
This case highlights the evolving threat of transnational cyber fraud and the importance of public vigilance against impersonation scams that exploit the reputation of trusted institutions.
