Navi Mumbai Police Bust ₹84-Crore Cyber Fraud Network Linked to Banned Reddy Anna App

The Navi Mumbai Crime Branch has dismantled a massive cyber fraud network operating across India through the banned online gaming platform Reddy Anna, arresting 12 people connected to 393 cybercrime cases involving nearly ₹84 crore.

The investigation began on October 14, when Head Constable Rahul Pawar from the Economic Offences Wing detained Imran Usmani Minhaj Shaikh (22) near CBD Belapur railway station for suspicious activity. During questioning, Shaikh admitted to opening 60–70 fake bank accounts used by cybercriminals to launder money through the Reddy Anna network.

Shaikh revealed that he recruited local youths, paying them ₹5,000 per account, while he earned ₹15,000 from the fraud operators. He sent the account kits — including passbooks, debit cards, chequebooks, and SIM cards — via courier to an associate named Harish in Dombivli.

Based on this information, police raided a flat in Runwal Garden, Dombivli, and arrested six suspects: Hitesh Punararam Dewangan (28), Sunil Shravan Dewangan (23), Rahul Raju Dewangan (21), Tomeshkumar Mohit Uike (22), Ankit Ramesh Singh (23), and Abhishek Sanjay Singh (23). A subsequent raid at Somani Green Homes, Punawale, Pimpri-Chinchwad (Pune) led to six more arrests — Arpit Sonwani, Rajat Sharma, Harishkumar Markam (all from Chhattisgarh), Lalbabu Kumar (Bihar), and Krishnanshu Vishwas (Delhi).

According to DCP (Crime Branch) Sachin Gunjal, forensic analysis of seized devices showed that the syndicate operated through multiple domains — including Ramesh247.com, upi9.pro.com, and Reddybook.blue — alongside the banned Reddy Anna app. The group managed 886 bank accounts across India for illegal gaming, betting, fake job offers, share trading scams, and “work-from-home” frauds.

Police found that the gang referred to its operational hubs as “branches,” with Dombivli labeled ‘Branch 508’ and Pune ‘Branch 404.’ The raids resulted in the seizure of 52 mobile phones, seven laptops, 99 debit cards, 64 bank passbooks, and a Tata Safari Storm SUV, collectively worth ₹18.05 lakh.

A case has been registered under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, and relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Gambling Act and the Online Gaming (Promotion and Regulation) Act, 2025.

The operation was supervised by ACP Ajaykumar Landge and Senior Inspector Sunil Shinde, with support from a central team comprising Srinivas Tungenwar, Sachin Kokare, Satish Bhosale, Mahesh Jadhav, and Rahul Bhadane.

Commenting on the case, cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh, former IPS officer, said such cases reveal how cyber fraud has evolved into an organized economic ecosystem.

“This is not just about illegal gaming or betting — it reflects how cybercrime has turned into a structured financial network. Platforms like Reddy Anna are only the visible front. Behind them lie layers of fake accounts, wallets, and proxy servers,” he said.

Prof. Singh emphasized the urgent need to strengthen digital literacy, transaction transparency, and public cyber awareness as India’s digital payment systems continue to expand.