CBI Cracks ‘Digital Arrest’ Fraud: 3 Held

The case involved the fraud of a senior citizen in Kottayam, Kerala. Through digital forensics and financial trail analysis, investigators uncovered a complex network spanning multiple states with international connections.

The CBI launched synchronized search and arrest operations targeting mule bank account networks and fraudulently procured SIM cards. Digital devices, debit cards, bank documents and other incriminating material were seized during searches in Goa, Bengaluru, Palakkad, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Delhi.

A mule account operator working at a hotel in Goa has been arrested for facilitating cryptocurrency transactions. A front company operator in Nagpur was caught with a large number of bank cards and devices. A SIM card fraud facilitator in Bengaluru has been arrested for duping individuals with “5G SIM upgrades” and misusing KYC documents to activate SIMs that were later used in cyber fraud operations believed to originate abroad.

The seized evidence is being examined.

3-year-old boy dies after touching live wire

Hyderabad: A three-year-old girl died after she came in contact with a live cable at an under-construction site near Chintal in Balanagar around 5.30 pm on Wednesday.

Balanagar inspector T. Narsimha Raju said that the incident took place when the boy was playing just a few meters away from his house. “Unknowingly, he touched a live wire, which resulted in him getting electrocuted and dying at the scene,” he said. Her mother, who went out to look for her daughter, witnessed the tragedy and immediately informed her husband. Neighbors helped take the child to a nearby private hospital, and doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The police took the body to Gandhi morgue for autopsy. The girl’s family had just reached the police station when she submitted this report.

“We will file a criminal case against Subhash, the owner of the under-construction house, on charges of negligence for leaving the telegram like this,” the inspector said. Further investigation is ongoing.

Hyderabad: A 36-year-old man was arrested for theft from Yellammabanda in Jagadgirigutta and gold ornaments weighing 14 tolas were seized from him, police said on Wednesday.

According to Jagadgirigutta detective inspector Narender Reddy, the accused Patro Shankar lives in the same colony as the complainant in this case. Rekapalli Lakshmi, 63, of Yellammabanda, locked her house around 4.30pm on February 23 and hid the key under the drum next to the door before leaving. Shankar saw this and after she left, he took the key, opened the door and entered the house.

Police said that the suspect opened the cabinet on the television table using the cabinet key, stole approximately 14 tons of gold ornaments and ran away. At around 6 pm on the same day, Lakshmi and her family returned home to find the cupboard open and the ornaments missing.

Police arrested Shankar based on technical evidence and reliable information. It was claimed that he confessed to the theft during interrogation. A gold necklace, black beaded chain, three-layer chain, medallion chain and four gold rings were seized from his possession. The defendant was arrested. A case was registered.

23-year-old young man sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a minor

Hyderabad: A special court hearing Pocso cases at Hastinapuram in Rangareddy district on Wednesday sentenced a 23-year-old man to 20 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) for raping and cheating on a minor girl in Chaitanyapuri.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the accused and ordered compensation of Rs 4 lakh to be paid to the survivor.

Convict Poosapati Madhu, a native of Suryapet’s Midhanapally village, was charged under Section 376(2)(n) of the IPC and Sections 5 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (Pocso) Act, 2012.

According to the charge sheet, the accused, who is a relative of the victim, had come to Hyderabad for painting in 2019 and had stayed at his aunt’s house in Phanigiri Colony in Chaitanyapuri. Between 2019 and 2020, he allegedly raped the underage girl, who promised to marry him, several times in the absence of family members. She later avoided him and refused to marry him despite the elders’ intervention.

Based on the complaint registered on December 7, 2021, Chaitanyapuri police registered a case and arrested the accused two days later. During the investigation, the victim’s statement was recorded under Section 164 of CrPC, medical examination was conducted, forensic and call detail records were collected. Later, a criminal complaint was filed in the special court.

After the hearing and hearing of the witnesses, the court found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The victim’s identity was kept secret by law.

Retired officer cheated of ₹14 lakh due to ‘digital arrest’

Hyderabad: Cybercriminals duped a 70-year-old retired Central government official of Rs 14 lakh on the pretext of “digital arrest”. Hyderabad Cyber ​​Crime Police registered a case against the scammers.

According to police, the victim, a resident of Shamshabad, received a call from a woman who identified herself as Preethi Reddy from the Secunderabad communications department. He alleged that the victim procured a SIM card in Bengaluru and sent illegal messages to many women, and 17 complaints were lodged against him.

The victim was then instructed to contact Siva Prakash, SI, Bengaluru, an alleged police officer. Later, a man wearing a police uniform appeared on the WhatsApp video call, interrogated the victim and asked for Aadhaar details. He warned that if the matter came to light, the victim would be arrested and his children’s career would be in danger.

The tyrants escalated the threat, claiming that this was a national security issue involving politicians and high-ranking officials. They alleged that an account in the victim’s name was used to launder ₹ 3 crore and demanded ₹ 18 lakh to stay his arrest. Under pressure, the victim agreed to transfer ₹14 lakh through her husband’s account to Fino Payments Bank branch in Navi Mumbai.

Police said the fraudsters tried to extort more money by pretending to be income tax officials, but the victim realized the scam and filed a complaint.

2 workers injured with burns in Jeedimetla reactor fire

Hyderabad: Two workers were injured in a fire that broke out at Smilex Laboratories Pvt Ltd in IDA in Jeedimetla around 1 pm on Wednesday.

According to Jeedimetla police, the victims were identified as Bommena Pullarao, 28, a chemist who had been working in the unit for the last one year, and B. Somaraju, 50, an assistant from Suraram. Both of them suffered burns on their faces, hands and legs.

The incident occurred during the mixing of methanol and other raw materials in a reactor during the ‘A’ shift. Complainant Pullarao alleged that static electricity was generated during the process, which triggered the fire.

The teams took the injured to a private hospital for treatment. Pullarao also claimed that the accident occurred because the company management did not take necessary safety precautions at the workplace. As a result, the Jeedimetla police filed a case against the laboratory management. Further investigation is ongoing.

Caution warning issued for Anvesh

Hyderabad: Panjagutta police on Wednesday issued an investigation notice to nab influencer Anvesh in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly making objectionable statements.

A few days ago, BJP leader and actor Karate Kalyani filed a complaint alleging that YouTuber Anvesh was hurting public sentiments by making comments against a particular religion. Based on the complaint, the police registered cases and filed a report during the investigation.

Reports said that Anvesh is currently on a foreign tour while continuing to release videos. Instagram accounts were recently blocked by service providers following complaints and lawsuits filed against them.