The Cyber Crime Police, Hyderabad City, have arrested two key accused in connection with a ₹1.22 crore investment trading fraud that allegedly used a network of mule bank accounts to route cybercrime proceeds and facilitate money laundering.
According to police, a Hyderabad resident was added to a WhatsApp group named “282 BARCLAYS India High Quality Stock Trading Research Group” in January 2026. He was persuaded to invest through fake trading platforms after being promised high returns and IPO allotments.
To gain his trust, the fraudsters initially allowed him to withdraw ₹1.05 lakh. The victim later invested a total of ₹1.22 crore in 19 transactions. The scammers then displayed fake profits of ₹15.69 crore and demanded an additional ₹35 lakh for the release of IPO shares.
During the investigation, police found that the accused allegedly arranged and supplied bank accounts that were used to receive and transfer funds generated through fraudulent online trading activities. Several accounts linked to the accused were connected to multiple cybercrime cases across India, with crores of rupees routed through them.
Police seized three mobile phones, four ATM/debit cards, two cheque books, two bank passbooks, and three SIM cards during the operation.
The arrests were made by the Cyber Crime Police Station team under the guidance of DCP Cyber Crimes V. Arvind Babu and the supervision of ACP Siva Maruthi.
Public Advisory
Police have urged citizens to be cautious of investment schemes promising guaranteed returns through WhatsApp groups, social media platforms, or unknown callers. Officials also clarified that government agencies do not conduct investigations through video calls or demand money to resolve legal issues.
Victims of cyber fraud can report incidents by calling 1930 or filing a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
