Pune Cyber Police have arrested Sitayya Kilaru, a highly educated individual from Hyderabad, for defrauding a reputed engineering college in Pune of Rs2.46 crore.
Kilaru holds a master’s degree from Staffordshire University, London, and a PhD from Birmingham University, London. He has also cleared both preliminary and main UPSC exams and worked as a professor in several Hyderabad universities between 2015 and 2018.
The investigation revealed that Kilaru gained the trust of college professors by presenting fake projects via emails and WhatsApp calls. He even impersonated a professor from IIT Mumbai, claiming he could secure AI and drone projects from the central government. However, police confirmed he had no ties with IIT Mumbai.
Following a complaint at Pune Cyber Police Station, a team led by Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde conducted a search in Hyderabad on September 21, arresting Kilaru without resistance.
Authorities seized assets worth around ₹50 lakh from him, including 10 debit cards, 13 bank passbooks, 15 chequebooks, five 5G SIM cards, gold purchase receipts, four mobile phones, a tablet, a laptop, jewellery, and two cars.
According to Pune Cyber Police, Kilaru, originally from Vijayawada, turned to crime after quitting his job in 2022 following family disputes. A Hyderabad court granted transit remand, and he has been brought to Pune, where he will remain in custody until September 28.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and senior officials lauded the cyber team for their coordination and planning, praising the successful operation to bring the accused to justice.
