CYBERABAD POLICE COMMISSIONERATE SUCCESSFULLY DISMANTLES MAJOR ONLINE BETTING SYNDICATE

The Cyberabad Police Commissionerate has successfully dismantled a sophisticated online betting syndicate operating through Telegram influencers, unauthorized betting websites, and mule accounts. This network systematically deceived youth with false promises of match-fixing tips and used aggressive social media campaigns to lure millions into illegal gambling platforms.

           // Online Betting is prohibited in Telangana state vide TS GAMING Amd ACT – 2017.   //

CASE DETAILS

On 13-06-2025, the complainant a Miyapur resident who was defrauded through "guaranteed TOSS FIX" predictions in Telegram channels. The complainant and his friend lost ₹50 lakhs and ₹60 lakhs respectively.
Investigation: Four specialized teams from Cyberabad Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS) were deployed to apprehend the accused across multiple cities.

ARRESTS MADE:
Total Arrests:4 individuals apprehended on 24th June 2025

Primary Influencers:

Name      Telegram Channel      Website      Followers    Commission Earned
A4 - ChinnamsettiNaga Rakesh     ICC Cricket Reports, ICC Toss, Hanuman    stakeid.com ,VIPBook.com Fairplay.com lotusplay247.com    60,000+    ₹1.7crore
A5 - Pottavathini Deepak     The Mars Toss, The Mars Line, Magical Mars, Monthly Mars    stakeid.com    80,000+    ₹55 Lakh
A6 - Guguloth Sri Ram Naik     Sahara, Sahara Toss, Telugu Toss Line, Leo Fire    stakeid.com
Lotus Exchange, winbuzz.com, fairplay.com    19,000+    ₹30 Lakh
A7 - Hemanth Kumar     (ICC Cricket Ground Report, Balaji Cricket Analyst)    Ultrawin.com
Ultrawin.games    10,000+    ₹20 Lakh

ILLEGAL WEBSITES IDENTIFIED& TAKE DOWN PROCESS INITIATED.
1.    www.stakeid.com
2.    www.lotusplay247.com
3.    www.royalbook365.com
4.    www.govinda365.io
5.    www.VIPBook.com
6.    www.Fairplay.com
7.    www.Lotusexchange.com
8.    www.winbuzz.com
9.    www.ultrawin.com                                               
   10.www.ultrawin.games

MODUS OPERANDI

1. Victim Acquisition
•    Created private Telegram groups offering "exclusive insider tips"
•    Claimed access to "fixed matches" and "guaranteed predictions"
•    Used emotional manipulation and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) tactics.
2. Account Creation
•    Users registered via: 
o    Side-loaded Android apps (APK files).
o    Vanity URLs shared in private groups
o    Referral codes from influencers.
3. Fund Deposits
•    Victims deposited money via UPI/IMPS/NEFT to mule accounts.
•    Mule accounts operated with forged Aadhaar and PAN documents
•    Anonymous UPI IDs rotated to avoid RBI-compliant KYC requirements.
4. Money Laundering
•    Funds layered through multiple accounts.
•    Some amounts converted to cryptocurrency.
•    Winnings (when paid) disbursed through fresh mule accounts.
5. Payout & Frustration Loop     
  Small “wins” were selectively released through fresh mule accounts to build trust; high-value                                                    withdrawals were routinely blocked, driving many victims into deeper losses and debt.
6. Commission Structure
•    Influencers earned 1-3% commission per rupee bet
•    Additional monthly retainers based on follower count and regional influence
•    Total influencer earnings: ₹25 lakh to ₹80 lakh.

SCALE OF OPERATIONS
•    Operation Period: 2019-2025 (various start dates for different accused)
•    Geographic Reach: Multiple states with focus on Telugu-speaking regions

SEIZED PROPERTY
•    Mobile phones: 10
•    Laptops/Tablets: 2 
•    ATM cards:5
•    Bank passbooks: 9
•    Cheque books: 2 
•    PAN cards: 1 

CONSEQUENCES:
•    Suicide and depression among victims.
•    Entire life savings often exhausted within weeks.
•    Many become trapped in serious debt.
•    Severe mental-health crises afflict affected families.

PUBLIC ADVISORY

STAY ALERT - AVOID ONLINE BETTING

Warning Signs to Watch:
•    Telegram channels promising "guaranteed predictions"
•    Claims of "fixed matches" or "insider tips"
•    Requests to download APK files or join private groups
•    UPI transfers to unknown accounts for "betting deposits"

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY:1930

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Cyberabad Police Commissionerate is committed to:

•    Prosecuting all facilitators to the fullest extent of law
•    Tracking offshore operators and their Indian collaborators
•    Identifying and freezing all linked mule accounts
•    Preventing future victimization through continued surveillance

The investigation was monitored by 

B. Sai Sri, DCP SB ,fac Cybercrimes
S.Ravinder , ACP EoW, looking after Cybercrimes
 And successfully investigated by Ch. Shankaraiah, Inspector and SIs Yadagiri Rao, Sandeep Raj, Jai Prakash Goud, Sneha,  Kranthi Kiran and staff.