The Navi Mumbai Crime Branch has successfully dismantled a nationwide cyber fraud network operating through the banned online gaming app ‘Reddy Anna’, arresting 12 men linked to 393 cases totaling Rs 84 crore. The syndicate allegedly ran large-scale scams involving fake jobs, stock market frauds, and illegal gaming.
The investigation began with the arrest of Imran Usmani Minhaj Shaikh (22) from Nerul Sector-18. Shaikh had created 60–70 fake bank accounts used for laundering money through the gaming platform. He was detained on October 14 near CBD Belapur railway station by Head Constable Rahul Pawar after exhibiting suspicious behavior.
During interrogation, Shaikh revealed his role in a larger racket, recruiting individuals to open bank accounts for commission-based work. He received Rs 15,000 per account, paying Rs 5,000 to the account holder, and sent bank kits—including debit cards, passbooks, cheque books, and linked SIMs—to accomplices in Dombivli and Pune.
Police raided a flat in Runwal Garden, Dombivli, uncovering active operations, leading to five arrests. A follow-up raid in Somani Green Homes, Pimpri-Chinchwad resulted in six more arrests, effectively dismantling the core network.
Those arrested from Dombivli include: Hitesh Punararam Dewangan (28), Sunil Shravan Dewangan (23), Rahul Raju Dewangan (21), Tomeshkumar Mohit Uike (22), Ankit Ramesh Singh (23), and Abhishek Sanjay Singh (23).
Arrested from Pune and other states: Arpit Satendrakumar Sonwani (23), Rajat Dilip Sharma (24), Harishkumar Madanlal Markam (27) from Chhattisgarh, Lalbabu Rajeshwarram Kumar (21) from Bihar, and Krishnanshu Amit Vishwas (22) from Delhi.
Investigations revealed the network operated not only through Reddy Anna but also via websites Ramesh247.com, upi9.pro.com, and Reddybook.blue, using 886 bank accounts nationwide for illegal gaming, betting, and fraud. The scams included fake job offers, share trading frauds, and work-from-home schemes.
Among the arrested, three were graduates, seven were 12th pass, and two were 10th pass. Police stated that their operations hubs were referred to as ‘branches’, with Dombivli labeled 508 and Pune as 404.
Seized items included 52 mobile phones, 7 laptops, 99 debit cards, 64 passbooks, and a Tata Safari Storm SUV, valued at Rs 18.05 lakh.
A case has been registered at CBD Belapur Police Station under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act, Sections 4 and 5 of the Maharashtra Gambling Act, and the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
The operation was supervised by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ajaykumar Landge and Senior Police Inspector Sunil Shinde, with the Central Unit team comprising Srinivas Tungenwar, Sachin Kokare, Satish Bhosale, Mahesh Jadhav, and Rahul Bhadane.
