The Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two cyber fraudsters involved in multiple online scams, including impersonating HRD Minister Nara Lokesh to defraud the public.
The accused — Guttikonda Sai Srinath of Guntur and Chitthadithala Sumanth of Sangareddy, Telangana — used the Minister’s photograph as a WhatsApp profile picture and posed as “Surendra, TDP NRI Convener” to deceive victims under the guise of offering medical assistance.
According to CID officials, the duo contacted victims via US-based WhatsApp numbers, sending fake US bank transfer receipts to convince them that Rs.10 lakh had been credited to their accounts. They then impersonated bank officials and demanded a 4% remittance fee, defrauding victims of Rs.2.32 lakh.
Investigations revealed that these two, along with main accused Konduri Rajesh, were involved in nine cyber fraud cases across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, cheating victims of over Rs.54 lakh between 2022 and 2025.
The case is registered under Crime No. 07/2024, Sections 318(4), 319(2) BNS, and 66-C & 66-D of the IT Act, 2000, at CCPS, CID, Mangalagiri.
CID officials have warned the public to verify all online financial requests and exercise caution against fraudsters impersonating officials.
