A nationwide investigation into cyber fraud networks resulted in 49 arrests across 15 States in July, with Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police also securing ₹98.89 lakh in refunds for victims.
According to a report released by the Additional Commissioner of Police, Crimes and SIT, the police registered 70 FIRs after receiving complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The arrests followed nationwide operations targeting cyber fraud networks.
Of the 49 accused arrested, 29 were linked to trading fraud, 5 to social media fraud, 3 each to digital arrest and WhatsApp DP fraud, and 2 to matrimonial fraud. Others were connected to APK fraud, crypto trading impersonation, investment fraud, job fraud, POCSO and fake old coin purchase scams.
The arrests covered Telangana (13), Maharashtra (7), Rajasthan (6), West Bengal (5), Uttar Pradesh (4), Bihar (3), Delhi (2), Haryana (2), Jharkhand (2), and Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Punjab and Uttarakhand (1 each).
Police seized 25 debit cards, 23 mobile phones, 9 cheque books, 7 passbooks, 5 rubber stamps, 3 laptops, 2 PAN cards, 2 rental agreements, a UAE resident identity card, a credit card and a passport.
Across 38 cases analysed, victims lost ₹13.87 crore, while ₹98.89 lakh was refunded. Trading fraud caused the highest losses at ₹11.75 crore across 25 cases, with ₹58.23 lakh refunded. Investment fraud caused ₹1.50 crore in losses, while digital arrest scams resulted in losses of ₹18.50 lakh.
Zonal cyber cells received 2,059 NCRP petitions, registered 298 FIRs, arrested 6 people in 5 cases and refunded ₹27.09 lakh.
Under Cyber Patrol Enforcement, police identified 128 Facebook and Instagram profiles promoting child exploitation, multi-level marketing schemes and fake investment websites. Several used referral links, promotional content and deepfake videos of public figures. All 128 profiles were removed, and a case was registered against 1 promoter.
Under C-Mitra, police made 1,537 calls to cybercrime victims and registered 231 Zero FIRs.
Police urged citizens to report fraud immediately through 1930 or the cybercrime portal and warned against fake investment groups, malicious APK files, WhatsApp profile picture fraud, government agency impersonation and fake digital arrest calls.
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