The iBomma Ravi case involves the high-profile arrest of Immadi Ravi, the alleged mastermind behind the notorious Telugu movie piracy website iBomma and related platforms. Ravi’s operations had a huge impact on the South Indian film industry and drew nationwide attention after his recent arrest by Hyderabad police in November 2025.
Background and Modus Operandi
Ravi, originally from Visakhapatnam, leveraged advanced technical skills to create and manage the iBomma network since 2019. The platform illegally uploaded pirated versions of newly released Telugu and other regional-language films, sometimes within hours of release, drawing millions of users each month. In total, Ravi’s sites reportedly uploaded around 21,000 movies and caused estimated losses of over ₹24,000 crore to the Indian film industry.
He used DRM hacking, camcorder recordings from theaters, and sophisticated digital methods to obtain and distribute movies. The investigation revealed he ran operations using more than 100 domains, servers abroad (especially in the US, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Caribbean), and a network of agents across multiple countries. He routinely switched between domains to evade law enforcement and government blocks.
Financial and Data Crimes
The Hyderabad police allege that Ravi made at least ₹20 crore through his piracy operation, primarily by redirecting site traffic to illegal online betting apps alongside standard advertising. Authorities seized about ₹3.5 crore from his bank accounts and are continuing to investigate further assets. Ravi is also accused of stealing personal data from nearly five million users, which was later used for fraudulent activities or sold, exposing users to additional cyber risks.
Legal Actions and Arrest
Police booked Ravi under the Information Technology Act, Copyright laws, and have invoked the Foreigners Act due to his foreign citizenship status. He renounced his Indian citizenship in 2022 to acquire citizenship in the Caribbean, reportedly paying ₹80 lakh, and later managed his operations from abroad. He was finally arrested in Hyderabad on November 15, 2025, after returning to liquidate real estate properties. Law enforcement officials credit their intelligence network and coordinated cybercrime teams for the arrest, which is expected to further lead to the detention of Ravi’s associates.
Aftermath and Impact
The police have shut down his primary piracy domains and seized his assets, but the investigation is ongoing, with authorities aiming to uncover the full scale of Ravi’s network—possibly involving Interpol for international cooperation. The case has drawn both public and political attention, with significant praise from state leaders and the Telugu film industry. Authorities caution that the effects of data theft and cyberfraud from Ravi’s activities continue to pose risks, and more arrests among his network are anticipated.
This case is considered one of the biggest blows against organized film piracy in India, with wide-reaching implications for cybersecurity and digital copyright enforcement.
🔑 Key Takeaways – Ibomma Ravi Case
- Identity & Background
- Real name: Imandi Ravi alias Prahlad Kumar.
- Son of a BSNL employee from Visakhapatnam.
- Once ran an IT company in Hyderabad earning ₹1 lakh/month, but shifted to piracy for bigger profits.
- Rise as a Piracy Kingpin
- Operated the Ibomma piracy platform.
- Earned up to ₹11 lakh/month from pirated films.
- Partnered with betting apps (1xBet, OneWin) for ad revenue.
- Amassed crores in assets over 6 years, including overseas properties.
- Financial & Identity Tactics
- Created PAN card under alias Prahlad Kumar.
- Managed 35 bank accounts, crypto, and Bitcoin transactions to hide identity.
- Paid ₹80 lakh to acquire St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship, citing business partners abroad.
- Lifestyle & Travel
- Frequently traveled across Europe, visiting 10–11 countries.
- Met betting and gaming app operators overseas.
- Lived alone in Kukatpally after failed marriage.
- Police Investigation & Arrest
- Police tracked him after Ibomma case registration.
- He fled abroad on Sept 3, stayed in France for 2 months.
- Returned to Hyderabad on Nov 14 and was arrested at his home.
- Hidden laptops, hard drives, and phones were seized.
- Evidence shows he earned around ₹20 crore through piracy and betting.
