A fresh development in the Visakhapatnam naval espionage investigation has brought attention to the alleged use of fake social media identities to obtain sensitive defence-related information. According to The Indian Express, investigators allege that a Facebook profile using the name “Angel Payal” connected two employees of an engineering company working at different locations associated with the Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard.

 

Investigators allege that Bongu Ravi, 30, and Kadari Srinivas, 31, shared information about the number of ships and submarines at the restricted naval facility in exchange for money. The woman allegedly claimed to work for a Dubai-based shipping company. Her identity has not been established in the report.

 

The arrests form part of a wider investigation into suspected attempts to obtain sensitive information from people connected to naval and defence establishments. The Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Cell launched Operation Firewall–2026, with teams operating across 10 States and Union Territories. Investigators have also examined alleged online communications, possible blackmail and the sharing of WhatsApp account activation codes.

 

The report states that a chargesheet was filed against Ravi, Srinivas and the unidentified woman in connection with the relevant case. The allegations remain subject to the legal process; the investigation into the wider network is separate and ongoing.