Hyderabad cyber police arrest Pune man for online betting fraud

Hyderabad Cybercrime Police arrested a Pune-based man for allegedly cheating multiple victims through illegal online gaming and cricket betting platforms. The accused reportedly duped a Secunderabad man of Rs 55 lakh and is linked to 22 cyber fraud cases nationwide.

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have arrested a 32-year-old man from Pune in Maharashtra, for allegedly cheating several people through illegal online gaming and cricket betting platforms.

The suspect, identified as Vishal Anil Nirmal, allegedly duped victims by promising easy and assured profits through online betting websites.

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According to police, a man from Secunderabad was initially lured in 2021 through WhatsApp messages promoting online betting platforms. After showing fake initial profits, the accused allegedly gained the victim’s trust and induced him to invest repeatedly across multiple betting platforms over several years.

The complainant reportedly lost a total of Rs 55 lakh.

Officials further said the suspect had operated illegal betting websites using agent IDs, promoted them through social media advertisements and bulk WhatsApp messages, and routed money through dozens of mule bank accounts opened in the names of fake shell companies. He used multiple SIM cards and digital payment methods to evade detection.

Police said at least 22 cyber fraud cases across the country are linked to the accused’s bank accounts. Efforts are underway to trace the money trail and arrest other suspects involved in the racket.
Police seized laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards, debit cards, cheque books and rubber stamps linked to shell companies.