In one of the biggest anti-piracy crackdowns in recent years, Hyderabad Cyber Crime officials have arrested Immadi Ravi, the alleged founder and operator of the notorious piracy website iBomma. The arrest has uncovered a massive digital piracy network, with authorities seizing more than 21,000 pirated films, including blockbuster Telugu releases and international classics.
According to investigators, Ravi had been running a sophisticated operation using multiple mirror websites, cloud storage servers and proxy domains to distribute newly released films illegally. The seized collection reportedly includes everything from global hits like The Godfather to major Telugu titles such as OG. Officials also revealed that the accused possessed fake identity documents, including forged PAN cards and driving licences, allegedly used to conceal his activities.
Preliminary findings suggest that Ravi had acquired foreign citizenship in Saint Kitts and Nevis to evade law enforcement and continue operating the piracy network from abroad. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough for authorities, who have struggled for years to tackle the widespread financial damage caused by digital piracy in the Telugu film industry.
The film fraternity has welcomed the development, calling it a “major victory” against content theft. Producers and distributors say the arrest sends a strong message that piracy, which causes crores in losses annually, will no longer be tolerated.
With Ravi now in custody, cyber crime teams are moving to trace financial transactions, identify collaborators and shut down remaining iBomma-linked domains.
