Eluru (Andhra Pradesh), [Nov 01, 2025] – The Eluru Police have exposed a major international cyber-fraud syndicate operating under the guise of “digital arrest”. The case (Crime Number 220/2025, Eluru II Town PS) involves a large money-laundering network that targeted Indian citizens through deception and threats.
❖ How the case came to light
A 66-year-old woman from Eluru received a video-call from someone identifying themselves as a “Telecom Department / Police Officer”. They claimed her Aadhaar card had been mis-used and showed a “Digital Arrest Warrant”. She was then coerced to remain on video call for 72 hours, during which she was forced to pledge gold, take loans and transfer ₹51.90 lakh in the name of “verification”. Ultimately she managed to send a message to the SP, which triggered a police investigation.
❖ Method of the scam: “Digital Arrest”
The fraudsters used a complex multilayer operation:
- They placed calls from VoIP numbers registered to Cambodia or Nepal.
- They produced fake police IDs and arrest warrants to intimidate victims.
- Victims were held on continuous video-calls and prevented from contacting family.
- Money was funneled to “safe accounts” (mule accounts) and later converted into cryptocurrency via APK apps (USDT/CNY).
- The laundering chain had five defined levels: VoIP calls → mule agents → APK developers controlling victim phones → cash/crypto converters → bank manager/constable assistance.
❖ Arrests & network reach
The police have arrested 11 persons so far across several states including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and more. Key arrested individuals include:
- Poonam Praveen Sonawane (Mumbai)
- Sachindra Sharma (Uttar Pradesh)
- Nitin Mishra & Harshit Mishra
- Abhishek Kashyap, Gopal Yadav
- Sandeep Aloni (Bank employee)
- Sandeep Vakpanjar (Police constable)
The investigation shows activity spanning Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, Goa, Cambodia, Nepal, China, Singapore and USA.
❖ Evidence uncovered
- 12 malicious APKs linked to Alibaba servers
- Over 150 bank accounts and 40+ crypto-transactions identified
- ₹3.57 crore frozen
- 5 Binance wallets found with ₹2.2 crore transferred within 2 days
- Smart contracts (EIP-4337 / 7702) used for automated crypto flows
❖ Investigation & coordination
The operation was led under the supervision of SP Eluru K. Pratap Shiv Kishore IPS. A multi-state team travelled over 14,000 km to apprehend suspects. Teams from the Cyber Cell, Eluru II Town PS, J.R. Gudem, Chebrole and other areas participated.
❖ Recommendations to curb future scams
- Establish a state-level Cyber Task Force.
- Mandate real-time KYC verification for banks.
- Create a shared “Mule Account” registry between police and banks.
- Set up inter-state Digital Evidence Exchange system.
- Launch public-awareness campaigns about “Digital Arrest” scams.
❖ Official message from the police
“Identifying each mule account helps stop numerous future frauds. Tracing every server is akin to dismantling one gang at a time.”
❖ Public alert
- No genuine law-enforcement department arrests you via phone or video-call.
- Do not comply with requests for money, banking credentials or gold transfers.
- In case of suspicion, dial the national cyber-crime helpline 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in to report.