Police arrest ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud accused in Badvel of Kadapa district

Overview The Kadapa Police have successfully dismantled a cyber fraud syndicate, arresting nine individuals involved in duping an elderly person of over ₹72 lakh . The fraud was perpetrated under the guise of a 'digital arrest,' showcasing the evolving sophistication of cybercriminals. Key Developments Incident: An elderly advocate from Badvel was targeted and placed under fabricated digital arrest. Modus Operandi: Cyber offenders impersonated police and central investigating agency officials. Timeline: The fraud occurred between September 2025 and December 2025 . Financial Impact: The victim was extorted for ₹72.68 lakh . Arrests: Nine accused were arrested near Hanuman Circle on Mydukuru –Kadapa Main Road. Investigation Details The investigation revealed a highly organized operation involving: Impersonation of law enforcement agencies. Creation of fear through threats of arrest and encounters. Enforced digital arrest via continuous WhatsApp video monitoring. Routing of funds through a multi-layered mule account chain. Laundering of proceeds through cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets. Financial Network Dismantled A financial ecosystem exceeding ₹22 crore linked to key mule operators was identified and frozen. The syndicate used crypto-conversion to anonymize and conceal proceeds. Accused and Their Roles Haddhad Koya (Kerala): Prime coordinator, mule account aggregator, recipient of ₹10 lakh . Sahad Thaikandiyil (Kerala): Core operator, network handler, impersonation strategist. Gibson Gilbert (Kerala): Corporate mule account holder. Prajit C.P. (Kerala): Mule account carrier, liaison. Shajil Kanayi (Kerala): Mule account arranger, document handler. Annapureddy Pothuraju (Andhra Pradesh): Mule account holder. Bhupathi Prashanth (Andhra Pradesh): Multiple bank account supplier, inter-State mule recruiter. Mallel Dinesh (Andhra Pradesh): Mule account holder. Garla Sudheer (Andhra Pradesh): Operator and facilitator of mule accounts. Seized Items ₹5.50 lakh cash 14 smartphones and keypad phones Multiple SIM cards Debit and credit cards Cheque books, ATM cards, net-banking credentials A car UPSC Relevance This case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and its implications for national security and financial stability. It is relevant to GS3: Cyber Security , GS3: Money Laundering , and GS3: Security Challenges . The use of cryptocurrency for money laundering is a particularly important aspect for UPSC aspirants to understand. Further Investigation The investigation is ongoing to track absconding kingpins, inter-State handlers, and international operators. Efforts are being made to recover proceeds of crime, identify additional victims, and initiate attachment and forfeiture proceedings.

Police arrest ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud accused in Badvel of Kadapa district

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Police arrest ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud accused in Badvel of Kadapa district

Police arrest ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraud accused in Badvel of Kadapa district

Overview

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