TELANGANA: iBOMMA Ravi’s Fake ID Racket Exposed
A man driven by ambition and secrecy built a vast piracy network, amassing fortunes while evading detection.
Imandi Ravi, 40, operated the notorious iBomma platform, uploading illegal copies of movies.
His elaborate schemes unraveled when Hyderabad’s cybercrime unit stepped in.
Cybercrime ACP Shivamaruthi, along with Inspectors Madhusudhana Rao and Naresh, led the operation that captured Ravi.
The arrest followed a dramatic pursuit across borders. He was held in custody for 12 days before being sent to Chanchalguda jail after medical checks.
From Student to Shadow Operator
Ravi finished his degree in Visakhapatnam and an MBA in Mumbai before heading to Hyderabad’s Ameerpet in 2007 for computer training.
There, he roomed with Prahlad and Anjayya, forming a quick bond. This friendship turned sour when Ravi stole Prahlad’s 10th-grade certificate.
He altered the name to Prahlad Kumar and forged an ID card. Using this, he got a driving license and PAN card, then opened a bank account. Under this alias, he launched VR Infotech and registered the iBomma domain.
Building the Piracy Network
In 2014, Ravi reconnected with old classmate Kali Prasad in Ameerpet. Claiming web design expertise, they started Suppliers India and Hospitals.in together. Ravi also opened a bank account as Kali Anjayya to mask his activities.
With experience from over a thousand websites, Ravi saw legal operations as unprofitable. In 2019, he bought domains for iBomma and Bappam TV. The COVID-19 lockdown boosted his scheme as he sourced pirated films via social media and apps.
He registered 21 domains through VR Infotech. Funds flowed in from ad agencies in Estonia and Caribbean nations. Online gaming and betting operators deposited crores into his accounts.
Global Travels and Hidden Wealth
Ravi gained citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis to shield his identity. From 2019 to 2025, he earned about Rs.13.5 crores from piracy. He spent Rs.10 crores on travels to 36 countries between 2020 and 2023.
No transactions appeared under his real name, baffling investigators. His devices held around 21,000 pirated movies. The Enforcement Directorate later joined the probe into his financial trails.
Denial Amid Transfer
As police moved him to jail, Ravi spoke to reporters, denying any piracy involvement. He claimed he was in Kukatpally all along, not abroad. He admitted only to foreign citizenship, questioning the accusations against him.
The case highlights the challenges in tackling digital piracy. Ravi’s use of fake identities and offshore ties shows how tech-savvy criminals operate. Authorities continue gathering evidence for a strong prosecution.