India
Police Investigate Pakistani Operatives Luring and Blackmailing Naval Staff in Visakhapatnam
Investigators say that about six months ago a woman posing as a shipping‑firm employee began a social‑media conversation with Annam Sai Varaprasad, 28, a civilian driver hired to transport naval officers at the Visakhapatnam naval base. The woman, who claimed to be from a neighbouring state, first discussed Varaprasad’s personal life before asking about his work, salary and the vehicles he drove. She then sent sexually explicit material and promised a visit to Visakhapatnam. As the dialogue progressed, she extracted details about the officials he served and threatened that he would be reported to his employers and arrested. The threat escalated into blackmail, with Varaprasad being coerced into providing information on the locations of naval assets, deployment of officials and other sensitive details. Communication moved from social media to WhatsApp.
Varaprasad had only basic security clearance and no access to classified assets or movements of naval ships and submarines. Andhra Pradesh Police’s Counter‑Intelligence Cell and naval officials monitored him for more than a month before arresting him on October 6. Authorities are examining his phone for evidence of cryptocurrency payments.
Investigators also say that Varaprasad supplied details of a trainee sailor, Pradeep Mukharjee, 31, who had previously met him at the Visakhapatnam base. Mukharjee was allegedly approached by a Pakistan‑based operative posing as a medical professional. After exchanging sexually explicit messages and being threatened with arrest and legal complications, Mukharjee provided information about the Vizag and Coimbatore facilities where he was training. He was forced to share OTPs to activate WhatsApp accounts for Pakistani operatives and was threatened with dire consequences if he stopped cooperating.
The WhatsApp numbers were then used to lure and trap at least 16 others, using a similar method. Targets included employees posted in Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. The sought information involved the movement of naval ships and submarines arriving and leaving.
After establishing that Varaprasad and Mukharjee had shared information and helped trap others, the Andhra Pradesh Counter‑Intelligence Cell registered a case against them on September 2 and placed them under surveillance. On October 1, simultaneous raids on the homes and residences of 18 persons, including 13 naval personnel, were carried out under “Operation Firewall 2026”. Twelve teams, supported by anti‑terrorist squad officials from several states, navy intelligence officers and local police, seized phones, electronic devices and documents. Authorities are investigating the 16 individuals to determine their level of involvement and have arrested Varaprasad in Visakhapatnam and Mukharjee in Coimbatore.