Key offender in matrimonial crypto-currency fraud held at Chennai airport

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have apprehended a key accused in a matrimonial and investment fraud case at Chennai airport on February 24 after he arrived from Cambodia.

The accused, Pedapudi Prasanna Kumar, 32, a native of Visakhapatnam, is linked to a case registered in 2025 under provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Cyber Crime Police Station, in Hyderabad.

According to the police, the case relates to a complaint filed by a 28-year-old man from Hyderabad who was allegedly cheated of ₹11,17,834. The victim stated that on October 23, 2025, he was contacted on WhatsApp by a woman identifying herself as Anjali Kandula, whom he had connected with through a matrimonial platform. She claimed to be working in the United Kingdom as an Azure DevOps engineer and gradually gained his trust by expressing interest in a long-term relationship.

Later, realising that he had been cheated, he lodged a complaint through the 1930 cybercrime helpline and subsequently approached the Cyber Crime Police Station.

During investigation, police identified Pedapudi Prasanna Kumar as the alleged mastermind. On interrogation, he reportedly stated that in April 2024 he had approached a job consultant in Visakhapatnam with the intention of securing overseas employment and travelled to Cambodia on the promise of a data-based job. After reaching Cambodia, he allegedly came in contact with organised cyber fraud operators targeting Indian nationals through social media and matrimonial platforms.

Police said he underwent training in executing cryptocurrency and forex-related frauds and later joined the network. He is alleged to have procured around 400 to 500 SIM cards through local contacts in Visakhapatnam, who had been arrested earlier, and used them to create multiple fake social media and matrimonial profiles. By impersonating women professionals and non-resident Indians, the accused and his associates allegedly built emotional relationships with victims before directing them to invest in fraudulent trading websites promising high returns and marriage alliances.

The modus operandi involved persuading victims to invest small amounts initially, displaying fabricated profit statements and then inducing them to transfer larger sums. Communication would then be blocked or additional payments demanded on the pretext of taxes, processing charges or account upgrades.

Two mobile phones were seized from the accused. He was produced before the court following arrest. Further investigation is under way to identify other associates, including local facilitators and possible international links, trace the money trail and attempt recovery of the cheated amount.