The Greater Chennai Police have arrested a 33-year-old man from Telangana for allegedly defrauding a Chennai businessman of ₹12.7 lakh through a fake Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) tender.

Key Takeaways

  • Chennai businessman cheated of ₹12.70 lakh via online fraud.
  • Accused used a fake Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) tender as bait.
  • Suspect Mohilikitta Mahesh arrested from Telangana.
  • The accused received a ₹2.75 lakh commission for facilitating the fraud.

CHENNAI: In a significant breakthrough, the Greater Chennai Police have apprehended a 33-year-old man from Telangana in connection with a sophisticated online fraud case. The accused allegedly swindled a local businessman out of ₹12.70 lakh under the guise of a security deposit for an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) tender.

The complainant, Jayanthi Babu, a resident of Vanagaram, Chennai, reported that he was contacted in March 2026 by an individual claiming that IOCL was floating a ₹4 crore tender for the installation of automatic doors. Persuaded by the legitimacy of the claim, the victim transferred a total of ₹12.70 lakh in multiple transactions to the provided bank account before the fraudster severed all communication.

The Investigation Trail

Following the complaint, the West Zone Cyber Crime Police launched a probe that traced the fraudulent State Bank of India account to Mohilikitta Mahesh, a resident of Moinabad, Telangana. A specialized police team traveled to Telangana, where, with local assistance, they successfully arrested Mahesh and recovered a mobile phone used in the crime.

Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging the prestige of public sector undertakings to execute high-value corporate frauds.

Why This Matters: BozokMedia Analysis

BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights a growing trend of 'Tender Phishing,' where scammers impersonate large corporations to target business owners. This case underscores the critical need for enhanced due diligence and multi-factor verification when dealing with large-scale industrial tenders.

Historical Background

Financial fraud involving fake government tenders has become a major concern for Indian law enforcement. As more businesses move toward digital procurement, criminals have shifted from simple phishing to complex social engineering tactics, often using 'money mules' to launder the proceeds across state lines.

Did You Know?: In many cyber-fraud cases, the primary account holder acts as a 'mule,' receiving stolen funds and passing them to the mastermind in exchange for a small commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did the fraudster gain the victim's trust?
The fraudster used the name of a reputable organization (IOCL) and a high-value tender amount to create an illusion of legitimacy.

2. What was the role of the arrested man?
Mahesh provided his bank account to receive the stolen money and allegedly earned a ₹2.75 lakh commission for his involvement.