Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested a 24-year-old freelance model for allegedly supplying mule bank accounts and registered SIM cards to cyber fraudsters, including Chinese nationals, in connection with a digital arrest case in which a woman was cheated of Rs 6.60 lakh.
The accused, Sambit Kumar Naik, a native of Rourkela in Odisha, was arrested on November 8. Police seized a mobile phone from his possession.
According to the police, Naik arranged bank accounts and SIM cards and facilitated the forwarding of banking-related one-time passwords (OTPs) to enable fraudulent transactions and route proceeds of cybercrime. He allegedly worked with a Chinese national and an associate identified as Viraj, who were linked to an entity called HYPAY operating from Cambodia.
The case relates to a complaint received on September 15, 2025, from a family member of a woman who died on September 8, 2025. The complainant stated that unknown persons impersonating Bangalore Police contacted the woman through WhatsApp, displayed the police logo and threatened her with legal action under the pretext of a "Digital Arrest".
The fraudsters allegedly sent fabricated investigation reports and forged official documents before inducing her to transfer Rs 6.60 lakh from her Pension account. The complaint stated that she suffered severe cardiac distress following continuous threats and mental harassment and subsequently died.
During interrogation, Naik allegedly disclosed that he had entered the cyber fraud network through Telegram due to financial difficulties. He admitted to arranging bank accounts and registered SIM cards, knowing that they would be used to route cybercrime proceeds and facilitate illegal transactions. He received commissions based on transactions conducted through the accounts, police said.
Investigators also found that approximately three cybercrime cases had been registered across India in connection with suspected fraudulent transactions through an Bank account linked to Main accused.
Police said Naik had earlier been arrested in two cybercrime cases in Maharashtra. After spending approximately six months in judicial custody, he was released and allegedly resumed his involvement in cyber fraud activities.