What began as a promise of quick profits through online gaming ended in massive losses for several victims, leading to the arrest of a Pune resident by the cybercrimes wing of the Hyderabad police. The accused, identified as Vishal Anil Nirmal, aged 32, was taken into custody for his alleged role in an organised online betting and cricket gambling scam.
The case came to light after a complaint from a victim in Secunderabad, who said he was first contacted in 2021 via WhatsApp with offers of easy and assured returns through an online betting website. The platform hosted casino games and cricket betting, including a game known as Five Star Cricket Aviator Flight Game. After investing ₹10,000 and receiving a small return, the complainant continued betting and eventually transferred ₹10 lakh into bank accounts shared by the accused, losing the entire amount.
In 2022, the victim was again persuaded to invest on another platform described as safe and profitable. Between 2021 and 2025, he sent money through bank transfers, UPI IDs, QR codes and cash deposit machines across multiple betting websites. His total loss reached ₹55 lakh.
Following the complaint, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Telangana Gaming Act. Investigators found that Vishal, along with associates Guddu, Dweide and Suraj Bhusal alias Bokshi, ran illegal betting platforms using agent ID panels.
Vishal had earlier worked as a recovery agent with a finance company in Pune. In October 2021, he travelled to Dubai on a job visa, where he met Suraj Bhusal, a Nepal national, who introduced him to the betting operation.
During the arrest, police seized 1 laptop, 15 mobile phones, 57 cheque books, 79 SIM cards, 62 debit cards, 15 rubber stamps linked to shell companies and 8 QR codes. Investigators said the accused created several fake firms and opened 57 current bank accounts using forged names and stamps to route betting funds.
Police also revealed that customer data from other betting platforms was shared to target victims. The gang spent nearly ₹6,000 per day on social media ads and used bulk messaging software. When accounts were frozen after complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, new shell accounts were opened to continue the scam.
As per NCRP data, at least 22 cyber fraud cases across India are linked to these accounts. Further investigation is underway.
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