Four individuals have been apprehended by Hyderabad Cybercrime police, accused of facilitating a large-scale online betting fraud that reportedly cost a city resident ₹1.5 crore. The arrests center on the alleged provision of SIM cards essential for these fraudulent operations. Central to the investigation is Mohammed Saeed Uddin, also known as Farid, a 26-year-old private employee with prior work experience in Dubai at a cricket betting call centre.
Authorities claim that Uddin, upon his return to India, enlisted the help of others in his locality to procure numerous SIM cards. These cards were allegedly supplied to online betting operators, including an individual identified as Mudassir from Gujarat, who reportedly paid ₹1,200 for each SIM card. A total of approximately 250 SIM cards are said to have been distributed through this network.
The scheme reportedly involved persuading victims to invest in online cricket betting and casino games, promising substantial returns. One victim, a 36-year-old Hyderabad resident, initially saw some profit, allegedly receiving around ₹20 lakh. However, the situation soured as fraudsters subsequently blocked withdrawal attempts and manipulated betting results, leading to the complete loss of the invested amount.
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The arrested individuals have been identified as:
Mohammed Saeed Uddin alias Farid (26), a private employee from Fatehsha Nagar.
Mohammed Tajuddin (31), an auto driver from Moinbagh.
Mohammed Yunus alias Arbaaz (25), a businessman from Moinbagh.
Md Ayub (24), a private employee also from Moinbagh.
Police reports suggest that the fraud utilized multiple interconnected betting platforms and fake websites to perpetrate the elaborate scam. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities looking into the broader network involved in the online betting racket.