Hyderabad: The Hyderabad City Cyber Crime Police arrested a 24-year-old man in a digital arrest fraud case involving ₹6.60 lakh, allegedly linked to a cybercrime network operating from Cambodia.
Police identified the accused as Sambit Kumar Naik, a freelance model from Rourkela, Odisha. They arrested him on November 8, 2026, and seized one mobile phone from his possession.
Investigators alleged that Naik arranged mule bank accounts, registered SIM cards and banking OTPs for cybercriminals. These resources allegedly helped the fraudsters conduct illegal financial transactions and route proceeds from cybercrime.
Police also identified suspected links between the accused and Chinese nationals operating from Cambodia under the name HYPAY Company.
Cambodia-based network linked to digital arrest fraud case
According to investigators, Naik coordinated with cybercriminals through Telegram to arrange banking facilities and communication resources. He allegedly supplied bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books and registered SIM cards to members of the network.
Additionally, police accused him of providing banking OTPs that enabled fraudulent transactions through the accounts. In return, Naik allegedly received commissions for arranging the accounts and facilitating the movement of cybercrime proceeds.
Investigators also identified approximately three cybercrime cases across India involving suspicious transactions through an ICICI Bank account allegedly arranged by Naik. Police said the accused had recruited other associates, including A3 and A8, to obtain bank accounts and SIM cards.
Woman lost ₹6.60 lakh to fraudsters posing as police
The digital arrest fraud case emerged from a complaint filed on September 15, 2025, by a relative of a deceased woman. According to the complaint, cybercriminals impersonated Bengaluru Police personnel and contacted the woman through WhatsApp.
They allegedly presented fabricated investigation reports and forged official documents to convince her that she faced legal proceedings. The fraudsters then threatened her with legal action under the pretext of a digital arrest.
Following the threats, ₹6,60,543 was transferred from her Union Bank of India pension account. Police said the woman reportedly experienced severe cardiac distress after prolonged threats and mental harassment.
She died on September 8, 2025, before her family member approached the police with the complaint. The complaint led investigators to examine the fraudulent transactions and the network allegedly responsible for facilitating them.
Accused had previous arrests in cybercrime cases
Police said Naik allegedly became involved in cyber fraud because of financial difficulties and the prospect of earning easy money. Investigators found that he had previously faced arrests in other cybercrime cases.
The Pimpri Chinchwad Cyber Crime Police arrested him in January 2025. Subsequently, Kalepadal Police also arrested him in a separate cybercrime case. Naik spent approximately six months in judicial custody before securing his release.
However, police alleged that he resumed activities connected to cyber fraud networks after leaving custody. Investigators subsequently linked him to the supply of banking resources used in the current digital arrest fraud case.
Hyderabad City Cyber Crime Police registered the case under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the operation, investigators seized one mobile phone from Naik.
Police continued examining his alleged connections with other accused persons and the suspected Cambodia-based network. Assistant Commissioner of Police R.G. Siva Maruthi supervised the operation.
Inspector Y. Gowru Naidu and Team-1 personnel received appreciation for their efforts in apprehending the accused. Further investigation into the alleged financial transactions and associated cybercrime network remained underway.