A coordinated investigation into a digital investment scam has led to the arrest of a young suspect with links to an international fraud network.
Hyderabad Cybercrime police have arrested a key accused in an online trading fraud that resulted in a loss of Rs 32 lakh to a local victim. The case has links to a Chinese national who allegedly operated the scam through cryptocurrency transactions.
The arrested person has been identified as Ansari Mohammed Umar Murad, also known as Umar, aged 21, and a resident of Mumbai. He was taken into custody in connection with a case registered at the Cybercrime Police Station in Hyderabad.
According to police officials, the victim was lured through a social media advertisement that falsely claimed an association with the Aditya Birla Group. After clicking the link, the complainant was added to WhatsApp groups that projected themselves as premium stock market and IPO advisory platforms. A woman posing as a trade advisor then persuaded the victim to invest through a fake trading application and linked websites.
The application showed false IPO allotments and artificially high profits. Based on this, the victim transferred Rs 32 lakh into multiple bank accounts shared by the fraudsters. When the complainant refused to deposit an additional Rs 1 crore, the application stopped working, exposing the fraud.
Police stated that Umar was in direct contact with a Chinese national via Telegram and played a major role in converting the defrauded money into cryptocurrency. Along with other previously arrested accused, he helped convert nearly Rs 50 lakh into USDT and transferred it to crypto wallets controlled by the Chinese handler.
Another accused facilitated mule bank accounts and allegedly withdrew Rs 12 lakh, which was passed on to the fraud network after deducting commission.
During the arrest, police seized 1 mobile phone and 1 laptop. Analysis of the devices revealed Telegram conversations, banking details and cryptocurrency transaction records.
Further investigation has shown that the accused are linked to 12 similar cases reported across Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal.
Cybercrime police have issued a public advisory warning citizens to stay alert against social media investment ads promising high or guaranteed returns, WhatsApp or Telegram stock and IPO groups, unknown links or applications, sharing of KYC or OTP details, and commission based use of bank accounts.
Victims of cyber fraud are advised to immediately call 1930 or report incidents on the national cybercrime portal.
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