Telangana ACB urges public to report fake callers impersonating officials
Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday issued a general alert to inform the public regarding ‘fake calls’ made by individuals in the name of ACB officials and threatening government employees and demanding money for not registering cases against them.
In an official statement, the Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General clarified that ACB officers do not make such calls or demand money in any form from government employees. Public servants and citizens have been advised to remain vigilant and not fall prey to these fake calls or make payments to them.
The ACB has asked the people to report such fake calls immediately by calling the toll-free helpline 1064 or informing the local police station. The complaints can also be lodged through WhatsApp at 9440446106 or via ACB’s official social media handles on Facebook (Telangana ACB) and X (formerly Twitter) [@TelanganaACB]. The identity of complainants will be kept confidential, the statement added.
Beware of Fake Calls in the Name of ACB Officials!
Fraudsters are making fake calls, demanding money from public servants in the name of ACB officials. ACB NEVER asks for money to ignore cases. Do not believe such calls or make payments. Report immediately to ACB Toll-Free No.… pic.twitter.com/7TVwomSEqq
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) February 16, 2025
On February 9, a tahsildar in Bhuvanagiri Yadadri district was robbed of Rs 3.30 lakh by the cyber fraudsters impersonating Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials. The fraudsters accused the government official of taking bribes for doing official work and extorted money from him.
According to police, an unidentified person called the Rajampet tahsildar, claiming to be from the ACB office. The alleged ACB officer then informed the government official that one of his subordinates had confessed to involvement in the alleged corruption case and had also implicated the tahsildar.
The caller then threatened the official with a likely arrest warrant and demanded money from him to evade arrest in the case. Under pressure from the caller, the tahsildar transferred Rs. 3.30 lakh in seven different transactions by different family members to the fraudsters bank account. The government official realised that he was defrauded when the alleged ACB officer switched off his phone soon after receiving the payments.
