Hyderabad Police | Hyderabad, Nov. 14: Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly supplying mule bank accounts and registered SIM cards to cyber fraudsters. The network reportedly included Chinese nationals operating through Telegram.
The accused, Sambit Kumar Naik, is a freelance model from Rourkela, Odisha. He was residing in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh when police apprehended him.
An officer said Naik was also involved in a digital arrest fraud. In that case, fraudsters impersonating Bengaluru Police allegedly cheated a woman of Rs 6.6 lakh.
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Police seized a mobile phone from the accused. Investigators said he arranged bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books and SIM cards for cybercriminals. He also allegedly facilitated the forwarding of banking-related OTPs to carry out fraudulent transactions and route the proceeds.
Hyderabad Police | Woman Cheated of Rs 6.6 Lakh in Digital Arrest Fraud
The case came to light after fraudsters contacted a woman through WhatsApp. They allegedly posed as Bengaluru Police personnel and threatened her with legal action.
“Using the police logo, fabricated investigation reports and forged official documents, they threatened her with legal action under the pretext of a digital arrest and induced her to transfer Rs 6,60,543 from her Union Bank of India pension account,” the officer said.
A family member lodged the complaint after the woman died on September 8, 2025. According to the complaint, she faced continuous threats and mental harassment.
She also suffered severe cardiac distress before her death. Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police received the complaint on September 15, 2025.
Telegram Contacts Linked Accused to Cyber Fraud Network
During the investigation, police found that Naik had contacted cyber fraudsters through Telegram. He allegedly joined the network due to financial difficulties and agreed to arrange bank accounts for commissions.
He later established links with a person identified as Viraj and Chinese nationals operating from Cambodia under the name HYPAY Company, police said.
Investigators said Naik recruited other associates to collect bank accounts and SIM cards. He allegedly received commissions based on transactions routed through those accounts.
Police also found that around three cybercrime cases across India were linked to suspected fraudulent transactions through an ICICI Bank account associated with him.
Accused Previously Arrested in Two Cases
Naik had earlier been arrested by Pimpri Chinchwad Cyber Crime Police in January 2025. Kalepadal police had also arrested him in another case.
He spent around six months in judicial custody before his release. Investigators allege that he subsequently resumed his involvement in cyber fraud activities.
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Police apprehended Naik on November 8, 2026. Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the network and trace the financial transactions.
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