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A 33-year-old man from Telangana was arrested by the Greater Chennai Police in connection with an online fraud case, in which a Chennai-based businessman was allegedly cheated of ₹12.70 lakh on the pretext of paying a security deposit for an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) tender.According to the police, the complainant, Jayanthi Babu (35), a resident of Krishna Industrial Estate in Vanagaram, Chennai, stated that he was contacted by an unidentified person on March 11, 2026, who claimed that Indian Oil Corporation Limited was set to float a tender worth ₹4 crore for the installation of automatic doors.The fraudster allegedly persuaded the complainant to transfer money as a security deposit required to participate in the tender. Believing the claim, the victim transferred a total of ₹12.70 lakh in multiple transactions to the bank account provided by the accused. After receiving the money, the accused allegedly cut off all communication, prompting the victim to approach the police.Based on the complaint, the West Zone Cyber Crime Police registered a case and launched an investigation. During the probe, investigators traced the State Bank of India account used in the fraud to Mohilikitta Mahesh (33), a resident of Medipally village in Moinabad, Telangana.A special team from the West Zone Cyber Crime Police travelled to Telangana and, with the assistance of the Moinabad police, arrested Mahesh. He was subsequently brought to Chennai after completing the required legal formalities. Police seized a mobile phone from his possession.Investigation revealed that Mahesh, who operated an online service business, had allegedly conspired with the main fraudster who contacted the complainant. Police said he had provided his bank account to receive the defrauded amount, later transferred the money to the prime accused, and received a commission of ₹2.75 lakh for his role in the offence, police said. Published - July 30, 2026 04:05 pm IST
