Two Cyber Crime Police Officers Arrested by ACB for Allegedly Demanding ₹1 Lakh Bribe from Fraud Victim

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested two Armed Reserve Sub-Inspectors, Pramod Goud and Jatavath Babu Naik, posted at the Cyber Crime Police Station in L.B. Nagar, for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe from a businessman who had earlier lost ₹2 lakh in a cyber fraud. The victim, who approached the police seeking help, was allegedly threatened with arrest and falsely implicated in the case unless he paid the bribe. Acting on the complaint, the ACB conducted a trap operation and caught one of the officers red-handed while accepting the money. Both officers have been arrested and produced before a special ACB court, while the investigation is ongoing.

Cyber Crime Mar 10, 2026 0 3 Add to Reading List

Two Cyber Crime Police Officers Arrested by ACB for Allegedly Demanding ₹1 Lakh Bribe from Fraud Victim

Cyber Fraud Complaint Leads to Arrest of Two Police Officers in Bribery Case

Hyderabad, March 9, 2026: What began as a routine complaint by a 36-year-old businessman who lost ₹2 lakh in a cyber fraud case has exposed an alleged instance of corruption within the cybercrime investigation unit. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested two Armed Reserve Sub-Inspectors (SIs) for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe from the victim in exchange for sparing him from arrest.

The accused officers have been identified as Pramod Goud and Jatavath Babu Naik, both serving at the Cyber Crime Police Station in L.B. Nagar under the Malkajgiri Commissionerate. According to officials, the businessman, who resides in Ramanthapur, had approached the cybercrime police after becoming a victim of an online fraud that resulted in a financial loss of ₹2 lakh.

However, instead of pursuing the case in the interest of the complainant, the two officers allegedly misused their authority and turned the complainant into a suspect. Officials familiar with the investigation revealed that the officers claimed the businessman might be involved in the cyber fraud and warned him that he could be arrested as part of the investigation.

The officers reportedly used this threat as a means of extorting money from the victim. They allegedly offered him a way to avoid arrest by promising that they would only issue a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) rather than taking him into custody. In return, they demanded a bribe of ₹1 lakh. The officers also assured the businessman that they would help facilitate a partial refund of the money lost in the cyber fraud, further attempting to persuade him to comply with their demand.

Feeling intimidated and unwilling to participate in any illegal transaction, the businessman decided to report the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. He filed a formal complaint detailing the alleged bribery demand and the threats of arrest.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the ACB officials organized a trap operation to catch the accused officers in the act. During the operation, Jatavath Babu Naik was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount of ₹1 lakh on behalf of himself and his colleague Pramod Goud. The incident occurred at L.B. Nagar X Road, where the exchange of money had been arranged.

Following the arrest, ACB officials recovered the tainted cash from Naik’s possession and confirmed that the officers had abused their official position to obtain undue advantage. Both officers were taken into custody and formally arrested under anti-corruption laws.

The ACB stated that the accused officers would be produced before the I Additional Special Judge for SPE and ACB cases at Nampally for judicial remand. Authorities have also confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing, and further inquiries will determine whether any additional individuals were involved in the alleged corruption.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has urged citizens to remain vigilant and report instances of bribery or corruption involving public servants. Members of the public can report such incidents through the toll-free helpline number 1064 or by contacting the ACB through its official social media platforms. The agency assured that the identity of complainants will be kept strictly confidential, encouraging more people to come forward against corruption.

The case highlights the importance of accountability within law enforcement agencies and demonstrates how timely reporting by citizens and proactive action by anti-corruption authorities can help expose and curb corruption in public institutions.