Fraudsters impersonating Telecom officials steal Rs 1 lakh from Hyderabad man
Hyderabad: A 47-year-old private employee fell victim to a cybercrime scam and lost Rs 1 lakh.
According to the cybercrime police, the victim received a call from a fraudster posing as a Telecom Department official. The caller falsely accused the victim of illegal activities and connected them to someone claiming to be a police officer.
The fake police officer, who kept their video off during the call, threatened to bring the victim to Mumbai unless they cooperated. The fraudsters alleged involvement in money laundering and demanded verification. They also claimed that unknown individuals had used the victim’s phone for illegal financial transactions.
To ‘verify’ the victim’s account, the scammers sent fake Reserve Bank of India documents and account details, stating the victim’s money would be held for investigation.
Believing the deception, the victim transferred Rs 1 lakh. Despite promises of a refund within 24 hours, the victim has not received any money back. The matter has been reported to the cybercrime police for investigation.
Public Advisory:
Vigilance can prevent most cybercrimes. Be alert and cautious to safeguard your finances and personal data. If you receive a suspicious call, end the conversation immediately and report it to the police without further engagement. Be particularly wary of fraud calls impersonating FedEx, BSNL, and TRAI.
Scammers often use psychological tactics to manipulate emotions and decisions. Do not deposit money into unknown bank accounts or believe false promises from unknown individuals. Law enforcement agencies do not initiate contact via Skype or request money transfers to resolve issues.
Never respond to emails, embedded links in messages, or calls requesting updates or verification of KYC documents, user ID, password, debit card number, PIN, CVV, or OTP. If you accidentally disclose your credentials, immediately change your passwords, CVV, and PIN.
Fraudsters often target victims on social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook by promoting fake trading apps and websites. Abstain from trusting promises of high returns and fabricated profit screenshots. Scammers often credit small sums into victims’ accounts to gain their confidence.
If you suspect you are a victim of cyber financial fraud, report it immediately by calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in. For emergencies, call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
