CHENNAI: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) Cyber Crime Wing of the Greater Chennai Police arrested four persons, including two women, for their alleged involvement in an online investment scam that cheated a Chennai resident of Rs 3.4 crore. Police also seized a mobile phone used in the crime.
The case originates from a complaint filed by Satyanathan (68), a resident of Adyar. He stated that in July 2025, he was added to a WhatsApp group by individuals posing as representatives of a Bengaluru-based trading firm.
Through discussions on professional trading and investment strategies, the fraudsters gained his confidence and induced him to download a mobile application.
Between July 7 and July 25, 2025, acting on their instructions, the victim transferred Rs 3.4 crore from his Axis Bank account to 13 different bank accounts provided by the accused. When he later attempted to withdraw his funds, the application became inaccessible. Realising he had been defrauded, Satyanathan lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Based on the complaint, the CCB Cyber Crime Wing registered a case on October 7, 2025. A special team led by an Inspector arrested the first accused, Balasubramanian (51) of Thanjavur, on November 22, 2025.
Further investigation led to the arrest of three absconding accused on December 24, 2025. They were identified as Murugesh (49) of Melur in Thoothukudi district, Efisy (35) of Sankaraperi, and Panchavarnam (33) of Tiruchendur. A mobile phone used in the fraudulent operation was seized from them.
Police said the prime accused, through intermediaries, approached Efisy and Panchavarnam — members of women’s self-help groups — and offered them commissions in return for bank accounts. Several accounts were provided, including one belonging to Murugesh. About Rs 6.01 lakh from the victim was routed to Murugesh’s account, withdrawn by cheque, and handed over to the intermediary after deducting commission. In total, around Rs 45 lakh was laundered through five such accounts.
All four accused were produced before a court on December 25, 2025, and remanded in judicial custody.