Telangana Cyber Crime Police Crack Down on iBomma Piracy Network

In a significant victory against digital piracy, Telangana’s Cyber Crime Police have dismantled a massive movie piracy ring targeting Telugu films, with notorious website iBomma at the center of the operation. Four key operatives were arrested on September 30, 2025, following a high-tech investigation costing Rs 2 crore, exposing a cross-border network spanning Hyderabad, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Dubai, the Netherlands, and Myanmar.

The bust, initiated on a complaint from the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) and ETV Win, targeted 65 mirror websites including iBomma, Bappam, and Movierulz for illegally uploading high-definition prints of new releases like Sikander – often within hours of theatrical debuts. Authorities uncovered sophisticated tactics, including theater recordings, server hacks, satellite feed cracks, and cryptocurrency payments for anonymity, with 95% of sites shielded by Cloudflare’s content delivery network.

Among the arrested is 21-year-old Ashwani Kumar from Patna, accused of stealing HD copies pre-release and distributing via Telegram, WhatsApp, and social media. The network’s “business-like” structure featured dedicated teams for editing, uploading, and monetization, fueling betting and gaming apps alongside film leaks.

Piracy’s toll is staggering: The Telugu industry lost Rs 3,700 crore in 2024 alone, contributing to India’s Rs 22,400 crore annual industry-wide hemorrhage. Former Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand hailed the operation as cracking “one of the biggest piracy gangs,” urging filmmakers to bolster anti-piracy measures.

Amid the crackdown, a 2023 screenshot resurfaced falsely claiming iBomma threatened police, but fact-checks confirm it targeted producers over high budgets and ticket prices – not law enforcement. iBomma’s recent viral ad defended its role, advising police to chase theater recorders instead, but officials dismissed it as a challenge.

Police vow to arrest iBomma’s elusive head soon, intensifying surveillance ahead of major releases. “Piracy is a punishable offense with fines and jail time – support legal streaming to protect our industry,” warned investigators.

For updates on Telangana cyber crime initiatives and anti-piracy laws, visit timesxpress.com/telangana-cyber-piracy-bust-2025. Stay vigilant against illegal downloads – your views fuel Tollywood’s future.