Youth Arrested for Rs 8 Crore Cyber Scam Crypto Laundering

The City Cyber Crime Police have arrested Lakkakula Manoj (23), a resident of Gollapalli in Jagtial district, Telangana. He is accused of converting money obtained through cyber fraud into cryptocurrency.

Police said Manoj used mule accounts to transfer funds collected from scams, including WhatsApp impersonation. He reportedly converted around ₹8 crore into USDT (Tether) and sent it to international cybercriminal networks. The main suspect, believed to be in Dubai, is still under investigation.

The case came to light on July 5, 2025, when a Visakhapatnam resident received a WhatsApp message impersonating a friend. Misled by the message, the resident transferred ₹1 crore across three accounts. A complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal helped investigators trace the funds through multiple accounts. This led to Manoj’s arrest. He has been remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.

Further investigation revealed that Manoj’s accounts were linked to other scams. These included fake job offers, digital arrest schemes, and fraudulent investment schemes promising high returns. Authorities warned that such scams often target unsuspecting internet users.

The Cyber Crime Police are continuing their investigation. Citizens are urged to be cautious with online investments or part-time jobs that promise unusually high returns. Complaints can be filed at www.cybercrime.gov.in or through the toll-free number 1930.