Bengaluru: In a significant development in the ongoing Bitcoin scam investigations, the Karnataka Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a chargesheet against notorious hacker Srikrishna Ramesh, alias Sriki, in connection with the 2018 hacking of the online poker gaming site PokerBaazi.

Sriki, 31, is accused of masterminding the breach, where he allegedly stole sensitive customer data, enabling the illegal transfer of nearly ₹67 lakh from user accounts. The chargesheet, submitted to a magistrate's court in Bengaluru, invokes Section 66C of the Information Technology (IT) Act for fraudulent use of electronic identification and Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for theft. These offenses carry a potential penalty of up to three years' imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.Also Read: Karnataka Government Considers Paid Menstrual Leave for Women Employees!

The case traces back to 2018, when Sriki and his associates exploited vulnerabilities in PokerBaazi's systems during online poker sessions. According to police records, Sriki would hack into the platform in real-time, manipulating outcomes or siphoning funds, which funded his lavish lifestyle of luxury hotels and parties. This incident is part of a broader web of cybercrimes linked to Sriki, including the 2019 theft of ₹11.5 crore from Karnataka's e-procurement portal and hacks on international cryptocurrency exchanges like Unocoin and Bitfinex, where he claimed to have stolen 400-500 Bitcoins between 2016 and 2020.WEET Cotton T-Shirt and Pyjama Set for Men,Night Wear for Men,Men's Pyjama Set 122

Sriki's arrest in November 2020 by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) initially stemmed from a darknet drug purchase using Bitcoin, which unraveled his hacking empire. The SIT, formed in June 2023 by the Congress government to probe alleged corruption during the previous BJP regime—including the mishandling of seized Bitcoins—revived the PokerBaazi investigation last year. In May 2024, the team interrogated Yashas Gowda, a former associate who allegedly provided bank details to receive ₹50 lakh from the hack, though Gowda has not been named in the chargesheet.

This chargesheet underscores Karnataka's push for accountability in high-profile cybercrimes, amid allegations of police complicity in diverting seized assets. The hacker's saga continues to expose vulnerabilities in digital platforms and the challenges of international cyber probes.