HYDERABAD: The Cyber Crime Police of Hyderabad City arrested a Pune based man for his alleged role in an organised online gaming and betting fraud that duped several victims across India, including a Secunderabad resident who lost ₹55 lakh over multiple years.
Victim lured through illegal betting platforms
Police identified the accused as Vishal Anil Nirmal, a resident of Pune, Maharashtra. According to investigators, he lured victims with promises of easy money through illegal online gaming and cricket betting platforms, projected fake profits to build trust, and siphoned off funds using mule bank accounts and digital payment modes.
A 32-year-old complainant from Secunderabad told police that he received WhatsApp messages in 2021 offering betting opportunities on a website named ANGELBET777, which hosted casino and cricket betting games, including a "Five Star Cricket Aviator Flight Game". After initially investing ₹10,000 and receiving a small return, he deposited ₹10 lakh through multiple transactions in 2021. He later lost the entire amount.
₹55 lakh lost over repeated investments
In 2022, the accused allegedly persuaded the complainant to invest again, this time on another platform, GOEXCH777, claiming it was safe and profitable. Trusting these assurances, the victim invested further sums between 2021 and 2025, totalling ₹55 lakh, through bank transfers, UPI IDs, cash deposit machines and QR codes across multiple betting websites. He ultimately lost the entire amount.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case in Cr. No. 2253/2025 under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, Sections 111(2)(b), 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Telangana Gaming Act.
Fake shell firms, mule accounts and SIM cards
Investigators said Vishal, along with associates Guddu, Dweide and Suraj Bhusal alias Bokshi, operated illegal betting platforms using agent ID panels. Vishal had earlier worked as a recovery agent with Shriram Finance in Pune and travelled to Dubai in October 2021 on a job visa, where he came in contact with Suraj Bhusal, a Nepal native, who introduced him to the betting operations.
After returning to India, Vishal allegedly obtained an agent ID from GOEXCH777 by paying ₹20,000 and created a sub-website, WORLD777, under another agent ID. Customers were attracted through social media advertisements and bulk WhatsApp messages promising assured returns.
Police said the accused created fake shell companies and opened 57 current bank accounts using forged firm names and rubber stamps. Betting IDs were issued only after victims deposited money into these accounts. He also procured 79 SIM cards, including Indian and Dubai-based numbers, to contact victims and circulate promotions, replacing numbers whenever they were blocked or flagged as spam.
When accounts linked to the fraud were frozen following complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the accused allegedly opened new accounts in the names of additional shell companies to continue operations. NCRP data showed at least 22 cyber fraud cases across India linked to the accounts operated by him. Further investigation is under way to trace the money trail, freeze additional accounts and arrest absconding associates.
Devices and documents seized
Police seized one laptop, 15 mobile phones, 57 cheque books, 79 SIM cards, 62 debit cards, 15 rubber stamps of shell companies and eight QR codes.
The case was detected by a team led by Inspector P. Shiva Chandra, with support from other officers of the cyber crime wing.
Police issue public advisory
Police cautioned the public against online lottery and gaming advertisements on social media promising guaranteed returns, and advised people not to click suspicious links or transfer money to unknown accounts. Victims of cybercrime were urged to dial 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in for immediate assistance.