Hyderabad: Businesswoman loses ₹1.2 crore in WhatsApp impersonation scam, case filed
HYDERABAD: A Hyderabad-based businesswoman and director in the Dodla-Pratap group, Divya Reddy Dodla, 48, lost ₹1.2 crore in a WhatsApp impersonation scam after her company accountant transferred funds to a fraudster’s bank account, police said.
According to a complaint filed with the Cyber Crimes Police Station, the incident occurred on March 13, 2026, when accountant Gundemeda Raghu Babu received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number displaying Dodla Divya’s name and profile picture. Believing it to be genuine, he followed instructions to verify funds and transferred ₹1.2 crore to a South Indian Bank account linked to an entity named “Laboris Interiors”.
Dodla Divya is a director and core member of the Dodla-Pratap business group and is associated with several firms, including Dodla Dairy Limited, Pratap Raceciment Private Limited, Stepping Stone Hotels Private Limited and multiple Pratap-branded LLPs.
Fraud detected after second fund request raised suspicion
The fraud came to light on March 17, 2026, when the accountant forwarded another request for funds and sought cheque approval. On verification, Dodla found that the earlier transfer had been carried out through impersonation.
The complaint stated that the fraudsters also attempted another transfer of ₹18 lakh through a different account under the name “Arm Playbord Private Limited”. Police said the suspects used a network of bank accounts to impersonate the businesswoman and cheat the company.
Divya reported the fraud to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) before filing a formal complaint with Cyberabad police.
Police register case, probe under way
Cyberabad police have registered a case against unidentified persons and initiated an investigation. Officials are examining bank accounts and digital trails linked to the transactions.
