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Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh/ Hyderabad.
In a major breakthrough, Bapatla District Police have cracked a nationwide cybercrime network involved in creating fake websites of popular Andhra Pradesh tourism destinations and temples. Two key accused from Rajasthan Paramjeet (20) and Bittu (21), both from Sahasan village in Deeg district were arrested in a coordinated operation led by District Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi, IPS. The gang created counterfeit websites mimicking Haritha Resorts at Suryalanka and prominent pilgrimage sites like Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), Srisailam, and Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra. Tourists and devotees were lured into making online payments through these fraudulent platforms.
How the case started?
The case began after a complaint by G. Ashok, Manager of Haritha Resorts (APTDC) at Bapatla Suryalanka, who reported that unsuspecting tourists were duped into booking rooms through a deceptive website Harith Beach Resort Suryalanka. A case was registered at Bapatla Rural PS (Crime No. 110/2024) under IPC Section 420 and IT Act 66-D.
A deep investigation led by SP Dudi and teams including Inspector Srinivasa Rao, RI Srikanth, and IT Sub-Inspector Naib Rasool unearthed a vast cyber fraud operation. Using portals like NCRP and SAMANVAYA, police found 127 cybercrime complaints against the gang from 18 states, with frauds totaling nearly ₹50 lakh.
Breakdown of Complaints:
• 49 related to Haritha Resorts
• 11 linked to TTD, Srisailam, Trimbakeshwar
• 3 for fake Mera Mahadev Resort
• 12 for bogus hotel bookings
• 52 for other online scams (OLX, UPI, fake identities, etc.)
Highest complaints were from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (59), followed by Maharashtra (14), UP (12), Rajasthan (9), Karnataka (8), and others.
On July 23, 2025, based on technical tracking, a police team arrested the accused from Deeg, Rajasthan. An OPPO F27 PRO+ 5G mobile and SIMs were seized. The accused were produced before Kaman ACJM-II Court and brought to Guntur District Jail. They are under two-day police custody for further interrogation.
SP’S Tushar Dudi appeals to citizens
SP Tushar Dudi urged citizens to avoid fake websites and never click suspicious links. He advised victims to immediately report incidents via 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in. He also emphasized ongoing police awareness programs to combat cyber fraud.
