Mahabubabad, Sept.21 : Kesamudram police arrested two cyber criminals from Nalgonda district for operating an organized fraud ring that impersonated police officers and extorted money from gold merchants under the pretext of “digital arrest.” Mahabubabad Superintendent of Police Dr. Sabharish disclosed details of the arrest during a press conference on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
The arrested individuals were identified as Shaik Irfan (29), a businessman, and Chinthalacheruvu Prashanth (26), an auto-driver, both residents of Nidamanoor village in Nalgonda district. According to police, Irfan took photos wearing a police uniform and used them as profile pictures on WhatsApp and Truecaller. On September 10, 2026, Irfan posed as a Sub-Inspector from Parvathipuram Police Station near Vikarabad and contacted a Kesamudram-based goldsmith, Bogoju Venugopala Chari, claiming police had seized stolen gold linked to his shop. Fearing arrest and public humiliation, the victim transferred ₹88,026 via a WhatsApp QR code provided by the suspect.
Following a complaint, Kesamudram Inspector Y. Satyanarayana and Sub-Inspector K. Kranthi Kiran launched a technical probe analyzing bank statements and cyber portal data, leading to the apprehension of both suspects. Police seized the police uniform and mobile phones used in the crime. Investigations revealed that between August 15 and September 15, 2026, the duo extorted approximately ₹4.20 lakh from various gold merchants across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Police noted that both accused were habitual offenders with prior extortion cases registered in Nalgonda, Adilabad, Eechoda, Kattangur, Tirumalagiri, Ramagundam, and Bikkavolu police stations. SP Dr. Sabharish cautioned the public not to fall prey to fake police calls or “digital arrest” threats, advising citizens to report cyber frauds immediately by dialing 1930. Mahabubabad DSP Tirupathi Rao was also present at the press conference.
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