21 cybercrime criminals arrested in swoop by Telangana Cyber Security Bureau

Telangana Cyber Security Bureau arrests 21 cyber criminals involved in 25 cases, seizing phones, SIM cards, and bank items.

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) arrested 21 cyber criminals in a coordinated operation across the State. The suspects were involved in 25 cybercrime cases in Telangana and 73 cases nationwide, spanning business scams, part-time job frauds, KYC scams and matrimonial frauds.

The arrests took place in Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Rachakonda, Karimnagar and Jagtial, leading to the seizure of 20 mobile phones, 15 SIM cards, four bank passbooks and five debit cards.

The account holders arrested were identified as Ramesh Kumar, 45, from Katedan, Haroon Khan, 35, a businessman from Kishan Bagh, Shaik Mateen, 21, a bookstore worker from Charminar, Mirza Hyder Askasri, 25, a food delivery agent from Charminar, Md. Dastagir Farhan, 21, a gym trainer from Chandrayangutta, Noor Jahan, 46, from Jahanuma, Mujahed Hussain, 36, a horse breeder from Moula Ali, Md. Rahamatullah, 47, a tailor from Golconda, Durga Prasad, from Uppal, Obulapuram Thirumala Subhash, 24, a hotel management professional from Malkajgiri, Md. Salman, 26, a bike taxi rider from Chandrayangutta, Sankendla Raju, 42, from Subhash Nagar, Karimnagar, and Mohammed Sumair Uddin, 27, a civil contractor from Falaknuma.

“Thirteen of the suspects had used their bank accounts to withdraw illicit funds totalling ₹8.2 crore, which they handed over to higher-level agents. The remaining eight accused collected and transferred these funds through cryptocurrency to international counterparts,” said director of the bureau Shikha Goel.

The operation, led by DSPs S.V. Hari Krishna and K.V. Surya Prakash under the supervision of SP Devender Singh, showed the growing network of cybercrime in Telangana, with links to 714 suspects nationwide. “These agents have criminal links with 325 cybercrime suspects across the country. Some of these criminals operating from other countries have been identified. Five crypto wallets have also been identified and will be investigated to unravel the money flow,” added the officer.