Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested a Pune-based man for orchestrating a large-scale online gaming and cricket betting fraud that duped victims of nearly Rs 55 lakh. The accused, identified as Vishal Anil Nirmal, allegedly lured people with promises of quick and guaranteed profits through illegal betting platforms.
According to investigators, Nirmal gained the confidence of victims by displaying fabricated profit statements before diverting funds through multiple mule bank accounts and digital payment channels. During the arrest, police seized a significant cache of materials, including a laptop, 15 mobile phones, 57 cheque books, 79 SIM cards, 62 debit cards, 15 shell company rubber stamps and eight QR codes.
The case came to light after a complaint was filed by a 32-year-old man from Secunderabad. The complainant stated that he began receiving WhatsApp messages in 2021 promoting high returns through an online betting website named ANGELBET777, which hosted casino-style games and cricket betting options, including the Five Star Cricket Aviator Flight Game.
Between 2021 and 2025, the victim invested approximately Rs 55 lakh using bank transfers, UPI payments, cash deposit machines and QR codes across multiple betting platforms. He ultimately lost the entire amount.
Following the complaint, police registered a case under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, Sections 111(2)(b), 318(4), 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Telangana Gaming Act.
Authorities revealed that the accused had cheated several other individuals as well. Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal shows that at least 22 cyber fraud cases across India are linked to the shell company bank accounts allegedly operated by Nirmal. Further investigation is ongoing.
