Did an Ex-Cricketer Pretend to Be Telangana CM's OSD to Extort Money?
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Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events, a former Ranji cricketer has been arrested for impersonating a high-ranking official of the Telangana government to extort money from businessmen. This incident highlights the growing issue of impersonation and scams targeting entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways
- Impersonation Cases are on the rise.
- Awareness about scams is crucial.
- Law enforcement is taking action against fraudsters.
- Verification of official communications is necessary.
- Public vigilance can prevent financial scams.
Hyderabad, May 22 (NationPress) - Authorities in Hyderabad have apprehended a former Ranji cricketer from Andhra Pradesh for masquerading as the personal secretary and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to illicitly solicit funds from business leaders.
The Cyber Crime Police took custody of Budumuru Nagaraju, a 32-year-old resident of Srikakulam district, for impersonation.
As per police reports, the suspect devised a fraudulent email account which he used to dispatch deceitful emails to numerous entrepreneurs while posing as the Chief Minister's personal secretary and OSD.
Nagaraju is already linked to 13 cases in Telangana and 16 in Andhra Pradesh, with a non-bailable warrant (NBW) also pending against him in a court in Hyderabad.
The arrest followed a complaint from the OSD to the Chief Minister about the fake email accounts and WhatsApp calls from an individual falsely representing himself as the Chief Minister's personal secretary and OSD.
A case was filed by the Cyber Crime Unit under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, along with Section 319(2) of the BNS, leading to his arrest.
Recently, Nagaraju reached out to Bollineni Infra Projects MD Krishna Mohan Bollineni using the email address reventhreddyosd@gmail.com.
The accused previously contacted several notable individuals, including Rapido MD Aravind Sanka, Gupta Realty Chairman Srinivas Gupta Verrabomma, and Country Delight MD Nitin Koushal, among others, demanding financial contributions.
He constructed a fake email ID and WhatsApp account under the names of high-ranking government officials, sending emails, messages, and WhatsApp calls to wealthy businesspersons.
The police have urged the public to disregard any messages or emails purportedly from government officials.
Over the past five years, multiple charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and impersonation have been filed against Nagaraju at various police stations across both Telugu states.
Point of View
This incident underscores the pressing need for stronger cybersecurity measures and public awareness. The impersonation of government officials for financial gain is a growing concern that demands immediate attention from law enforcement and civic society alike.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested for impersonation?
A former Ranji cricketer named Budumuru Nagaraju was arrested for impersonating the OSD of the Telangana Chief Minister to extort money.
What charges are against Nagaraju?
Nagaraju is charged under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, and Section 319(2) of the BNS.
How did Nagaraju carry out the impersonation?
He created a fake email ID and WhatsApp account posing as a high-ranking government official and contacted various businessmen.
What should people do to avoid such scams?
People should be cautious and verify the authenticity of any communication purportedly from government officials, especially regarding financial requests.
How many cases is Nagaraju involved in?
Nagaraju is reportedly involved in 13 cases in Telangana and 16 cases in Andhra Pradesh.
