The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested 74 accused involved in various online fraud cases and removed 251 social media profiles promoting illegal betting and fake investment schemes in May, a month that also saw a major crackdown on a pan-India ghost SIM network allegedly used by cyber criminals.

According to the Cyber Crime Wing’s monthly review, 54 FIRs were registered during the month, while investigations led to arrests in cases involving investment fraud, matrimonial fraud, trading fraud, OTP fraud, job fraud, social media fraud and digital arrest scams.

Ghost SIM network

A significant part of the month’s enforcement efforts was Operation Octopus 3.0, under which police targeted a nationwide ghost SIM ecosystem allegedly facilitating cyber crimes by providing anonymous communication channels to fraudsters. The operation resulted in the arrest of 66 persons, including ghost SIM card holders, point-of-sale agents and suppliers, across 13 States.

Alongside investigations, cyber patrol teams identified 251 social media profiles that were running 304 paid advertisements promoting online betting applications, gaming platforms and fake investment websites. Police said the profiles used promises of quick profits, referral commissions and, in some instances, deepfake videos of well-known personalities to lure victims. The accounts were subsequently reported and taken down.

Officials said cyber patrol operations have so far resulted in the removal of 678 social media profiles and 2,207 paid advertisements linked to illegal betting and fraudulent investment schemes.

The review showed that victims were refunded ₹68.27 lakh during May in 25 cyber fraud cases involving losses exceeding ₹10 crore. Investment and trading frauds accounted for the largest share of the money lost.

The city’s Zonal Cyber Cells received 2,531 complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal during the month. Of these, 349 FIRs were registered and 23 accused were arrested in 18 cases, while victims received refunds totalling ₹25.32 lakh.

The Cyber Crime Wing’s C-Mitra initiative also made 1,100 calls to victims and facilitated the registration of 252 Zero FIRs to ensure timely assistance and legal action in cyber crime cases.