Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have busted a multi-state cybercrime network and arrested 47 people in coordinated operations carried out across seven states. The suspects are linked to 36 cases involving different types of online fraud. The operation was launched after complaints received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) led police to identify the network and trace its members across different parts of the country. In August alone, 65 FIRs were registered in connection with cybercrime complaints.
Arrests Across Seven States
Police teams carried out coordinated searches and arrests in both northern and southern states.
Telangana: 15/Andhra Pradesh: 14/Delhi: 8/Maharashtra: 4/Karnataka: 4/Haryana and Utterpradesh states each one.
Investment and Trading Frauds Top the List
Financial fraud made up the bulk of the cases. Investment scams accounted for 16 arrests, while 12 people were arrested in connection with fake stock-trading scams. The remaining arrests were linked to social media fraud (7), OTP scams (3), impersonation (3), job scams (2), credit card fraud (2), malicious APK distribution (1) and advertisement scams (1).
Police also seized 28 mobile phones, three SIM cards, three chequebooks, a debit card, a laptop, Wi-Fi router, hard disk and an Apple iPad believed to have been used in the fraud operations.
Rs 99.79 Lakh Refunded to Victims
Police action also helped recover money for victims. In 34 cases involving reported losses of Rs 17.77 crore, investigators managed to secure refunds totalling Rs 99.79 lakh. Victims of trading-related scams received the largest share of the recovered amount, with Rs 57.96 lakh refunded.
Malicious Social Media Accounts Taken Down
The crackdown extended beyond physical arrests. Hyderabad Cyber Police's digital patrol unit removed 231 malicious social media profiles and 20 paid advertisements from Facebook and Instagram. The accounts and advertisements were allegedly being used to promote illegal betting, fake investment schemes and inappropriate content involving minors. The department's C-Mitra initiative also made 2,043 assistance calls to cybercrime victims and helped register 290 Zero FIRs, allowing complaints to be processed without jurisdiction becoming an immediate hurdle.
Cybercrime Networks Going Beyond State Borders
The latest operation highlights how cybercrime networks are becoming increasingly decentralised. Instead of operating from one location, fraudsters are using networks spread across several states, along with messaging platforms, fake trading applications and compromised bank accounts. Police have advised people to be particularly cautious about investment groups promising quick returns, unsolicited APK downloads and calls claiming to place them under "digital arrest." Anyone who falls victim to online financial fraud should immediately call the 1930 cybercrime helpline or report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
