Posted by AI on 2025-12-03 01:42:00 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-03-25 13:58:49
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Hyderabad's cybercrime landscape has recently been rocked by the arrest of Immadi Ravi, a 39-year-old native of Visakhapatnam, who stands accused of orchestrating a massive piracy racket. The case, however, takes a more sinister turn as Ravi is now implicated in three additional cyber fraud cases, revealing a complex web of online criminal activity.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police's investigation into Ravi's iBomma piracy website has led to a broader understanding of his operations. With servers spanning the US, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, Ravi's network was intricate and global. The police raid on a Kukatpally apartment yielded substantial evidence, including hard drives containing 21,000 pirated films in various languages, data on 5 million users, and 3 crore rupees in cash, just a fraction of his alleged 20 crore rupee earnings.
What started as a piracy investigation has now expanded into a full-blown cyber fraud probe. Ravi's scheme involved redirecting iBomma visitors to illegal betting apps like 1win and 1xbet, exposing users to OTP scams and digital fraud. This revelation has prompted the police to secure custody extensions to delve deeper into Ravi's betting connections and the role of his associate, Nikhil. The investigation also aims to trace and seize properties purchased with illegal funds and to identify international collaborators.
The Telugu film industry, having suffered a staggering loss of Rs 3,700 crore due to piracy in 2024, is watching this case closely. Commissioner V C Sajjanar's warning about data theft risks associated with such sites underscores the broader implications for public safety and digital security. As the investigation unfolds, the authorities' focus on dismantling this sophisticated cyber fraud network sends a clear message: the fight against online criminal activities is relentless.