In a joint crackdown on a multi-state cyber fraud racket, the Chennai Police, in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch, arrested three individuals from Belagavi on Thursday for operating fake companies and bogus bank accounts used in financial scams.
The arrested accused are:
Anil Kolhapur (resident of Kuvempu Nagar)
Rohan Kamble (from Ganeshpur)
Sarvesha Kivi (from RTO Circle)
All three were arrested in Belagavi and produced before the 3rd JMFC Court, after which they were transported to Chennai for further investigation.
According to City Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, the trio is connected to at least 27 cyber fraud cases, including three in Bengaluru and Tumkur, with the remainder spread across Tamil Nadu. The accused had registered two fake companies and opened multiple fraudulent bank accounts to channel illicit funds.
Commissioner Borase emphasized the growing threat of cybercrimes involving fake investment schemes. Victims are often lured through WhatsApp groups promising high returns. The fraudsters build trust by issuing small payouts early on, encouraging larger investments via fake apps, ultimately cheating victims out of lakhs of rupees.
He also warned of an alarming scam known as the “Digital Arrest” trap. In this scheme:
Victims receive calls from fraudsters posing as CBI, ATS, or ED officials.
They’re falsely told that a parcel containing drugs was found in their name.
The caller coerces the victim into a video call and demands large sums as “security money” to avoid legal action.
Some victims have reportedly lost Rs30–40 lakh.
Citizens are being urged to report suspicious messages or calls, avoid joining unverified WhatsApp groups, and never share personal or banking details without verifying the source.
