The Panjgutta Police have arrested an inter-state fraudster who was allegedly involved in defrauding hundreds of people through the online classifieds platform, OLX. The accused, identified as 35-year-old Marisarla Balaji Naidu, a resident of Bhavani Nagar, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, was apprehended . Authorities also seized two mobile phones and three SIM cards from Naidu, who is accused of conning approximately 200 individuals out of Rs 50 to 60 lakh.
According to the police, Naidu’s modus operandi involved targeting sellers of pre-owned mobile phones listed on OLX. He would approach them with an offer to buy their phones at the listed price, without attempting to haggle. However, instead of completing the purchase, Naidu would repost the same phones on the platform at a lower price, using the original photos of the phones to attract buyers. Posing as a mediator in the transactions, he would falsely claim to be the brother of both the buyer and the seller, instructing them not to discuss transaction details.
Naidu exploited the trust of his victims by providing UPI or QR codes for payments. Once the money was transferred, he would block both the buyer and seller, disappearing with the funds.
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To evade detection, Naidu used an elaborate network of 23 SIM cards and multiple mobile numbers. Investigators revealed that he had been operating this scam since 2018, targeting individuals in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. A total of 138 complaints have been filed against him on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), and 19 FIRs have been registered at various police stations across Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Rachakonda, Vijayawada, and Tirupati.
The stolen money was reportedly funneled into online betting platforms such as DafaBet, SARA, Rummy Time, and Rummy Circle. However, most of the ill-gotten gains were lost on these gambling sites.
Police officials also disclosed that Naidu had been previously arrested for similar fraud offenses in Bengaluru, Vijayawada, and Tirupati. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into online frauds across the region.
Authorities have warned the public to remain vigilant when using online platforms like OLX and to verify all transaction details carefully before making any payments.
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