A 39-year-old engineer from Hyderabad, L. Srinivas, has been arrested in Bengaluru after being linked to 86 criminal cases, most of them involving house break-ins and cyber fraud.
Srinivas, originally from Kamepalli village in Andhra Pradesh, was once a promising professional. However, his life took a dark turn due to his addiction to online gaming and gambling.
Once employed at various software companies in Hyderabad, Srinivas lost his earnings to gambling platforms.
Unable to recover financially, he resorted to theft and fraud to make quick money. Bengaluru police recently solved three burglary cases from last month and recovered valuables worth around Rs 9 lakh from his possession.
Most of the criminal cases filed against him in Hyderabad involve house theft. In addition, he is also accused of cyber crimes where he posed as a job facilitator and cheated people out of money.
Srinivas now lives alone in paying guest accommodation. He is divorced, and his family has distanced themselves. His elder brother works in the US, and his mother still lives in Hyderabad.
Police said his troubles began when he became addicted to online gambling. Despite starting off as a bright and hardworking individual, his compulsive behaviour led to ruin. His case highlights the dangerous consequences of unchecked addiction. What begins as casual entertainment can turn into a destructive habit, ruining careers, relationships, and futures.
Authorities urge young professionals to be aware of such risks and seek help early if they find themselves falling into the trap of addiction.
