HYDERABAD: Two held for cheating using Lokesh’s photo on WhatsApp
HYDERABAD: CID officials on Wednesday arrested two members of a fraud gang in Kondapur, Hyderabad, for cheating people by using Minister Nara Lokesh’s photo as their WhatsApp display picture.
The accused were identified as Guttikonda Sai Srinath (A2) of Guntur, residing in Gachibowli, and Chittaditala Sumanth (A3) of Patancheru. The gang’s main accused, Konduri Rajesh (A1) of Rachavaripalle in Satyasai district, was earlier arrested on January 5.
According to the CID, the gang operated under the guise of the Telugu Desam Party’s NRI coordinator and cheated several people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In total, nine cases were registered against them for defrauding victims of about ₹54.34 lakh.
Fake ‘Lokesh help’ accounts on social media
The trio reportedly created fake profiles on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) using handles such as Help@NaraLokesh, Help@PawanKalyan, and Help@NCBN. They collected personal details of people seeking financial assistance for medical treatment.
Rajesh, posing as a TDP NRI coordinator, used a WhatsApp account displaying Lokesh’s photo to contact victims through a number resembling a US mobile line. He convinced them that he would offer financial help and sent forged bank credit receipts to gain their trust.
Subsequently, impersonating bank managers, he and his associates demanded victims pay a 4% remittance charge before funds could be “credited”. The money was transferred into accounts controlled by the gang.
Complaints filed through cybercrime helpline
Authorities said the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’s 1930 toll-free helpline received 16 complaints related to this racket. CID is continuing investigations to trace others linked to the network.
