AP CID busts Webland land records fraud, arrests four

Amaravati: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) has unearthed a major fraud involving unauthorised manipulation of Webland records by misusing the login credentials of a senior National Informatics Centre (NIC) officer. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the racket, which allegedly altered around 30 land records covering approximately 70 acres across different locations.

The case came to light following a report from the office of the chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA) regarding suspicious alterations in Webland records relating to four land parcels measuring 6.55 acres in Indlacheruvu and Padamara Lakshmipuram villages of Donakonda mandal in Prakasam district. The CID registered a case on October 1.

Investigation revealed that an outsourced junior developer at NIC, Vijayawada, Rangaiahgari Sai Kumar, allegedly manipulated the Webland database using the login credentials of G V S R Sarma, a senior NIC officer, without his knowledge or authorisation. The accused bypassed the prescribed application, verification and revenue department approval procedures to enter new pattadar names in the online records.

According to the CID, Vadlamudi Yedukondalu initially sought changes in his family’s land records in favour of his father. He allegedly coordinated with intermediaries Vemula Venkat Rao, an outsourced data entry operator at CDMA, here, and Shaik Basha, a technical assistant associated with the Anna canteen project. Basha allegedly connected them with Sai Kumar to execute the database alterations.

The investigation found that payments ranging from Rs.50,000 to Rs.70,000 per acre were collected for the changes. UPI transactions of Rs.50,000 and Rs.25,000 were identified as part of the evidence. The estimated value of transactions is around Rs.50 lakh.

CID seized mobile phones, digital payment details and two PowerPoint presentations containing proposed Khata additions, Aadhaar images and Adangal particulars. The investigation is continuing to identify beneficiaries, trace financial transactions and establish the full extent of the fraud.

CID advised landowners to regularly verify their Webland records and avoid middlemen promising unauthorised changes. It clarified that an unauthorised Webland entry does not confer legal ownership.

The investigation was conducted under the supervision of CID SP Dr K V Srinivasa Rao by ASP S. Sireesha and her team. DGP Dr Ravi Shankar Ayyannar appreciated the officers for detecting the fraud. Further victims can contact ASP S Sireesha at 9247560212.

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MV Syam Sundar

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