Tag Archives: cybercrime

Newsbeat

37 Held in Cybercrime Crackdown, ₹14.5 Cr Recovered

Hyderabad Cybercrime Cops Arrest 37, Recover ₹14.5 Crore in Fraud Cases

Hyderabad: The Cybercrime wing of the Hyderabad police has arrested 37 people from six different states during a major crackdown on cyber fraud that took place between March 9 and June 14. Thanks to this action, over ₹14.5 crore was returned to victims across the country.

These accused were involved in at least 178 cybercrime cases nationwide, with 74 cases registered in Telangana alone. The arrests include:

  • 18 from Telangana
  • 5 from Andhra Pradesh
  • 5 from Delhi
  • 3 from Rajasthan
  • 2 each from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana

Police also seized many items used in these crimes, including:

  • 74 mobile phones
  • 156 cheque books
  • 22 SIM cards
  • 11 laptops
  • 11 debit cards
  • 115 fake company stamps and seals
  • Fake IDs, QR code scanners, OTP detectors, and more

Key Cases:

  1. Fake Investment Scam
    Two men from Uttar Pradesh, Nikhil Kaushik and Amar Sharma, tricked a victim into investing ₹1.98 crore in fake trading apps. They pretended to be from Barclays Wealth Management and other firms, using fake websites to show false profits. Later, they demanded more money for fake taxes and charges. These two were already wanted in 47 other cases.
  2. Online Harassment of Woman Entrepreneur
    A Hyderabad woman who sells crystals online was harassed by a man pretending to be a customer. When she refused to respond, he spread vulgar content about her on social media. The man, identified as Kuna Dharmarao from Dilsukhnagar, was arrested.
  3. Fake Facebook Profile of Bureaucrat
    A senior government officer’s name and photo were used to create a fake Facebook account. The scammer, Arbaj Khan from Alwar, Rajasthan, tried to collect money from the officer’s friends by pretending to be him. He had also posed as a CRPF officer in other scams.

Public Advisory

The police warned people to stay alert and avoid:

  • Responding to suspicious video calls or messages from people claiming to be from CBI, ED, or TRAI.
  • Believing in digital “arrests” or paying fines via calls or apps like Skype.
  • Investing in high-return schemes shared through Telegram, WhatsApp, or Instagram without checking if they are SEBI-approved.

What You Can Do

If you suspect fraud or lose money online, report it immediately to the 1930 helpline or visit cybercrime.gov.in. Fast reporting can help recover lost money.

ALSO READ | 15 Fake Doctors Booked Across Telangana

Newsbeat

Cases Filed Against Allu Arjun Fans for Comments on Chief Minister

Hyderabad: Police in Telangana have filed four cases against fans of actor Allu Arjun for allegedly making offensive comments about Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. These cases were registered after complaints from Congress party leaders and others.

Cybercrime police in Hyderabad and nearby districts are also monitoring social media activity. They are tracking posts made by Allu Arjun’s fans that spread false and harmful content, particularly targeting the Chief Minister, following the actor’s arrest.

Authorities have warned the public against posting inappropriate or inflammatory material online. Cybercrime units have been instructed to closely watch and act against individuals spreading such content. Senior officers have been told to register cases and take action in every instance of misuse.

Also Read | Hyderabad Sees 24% Rise in Cybercrimes in 2023

 

Newsbeat

Cybercrime Probe Bank Staff’s Role in Fraud Surge

Cybercrime officials are looking into the involvement of bank staff in the increasing number of fraud cases, where criminals use ‘mule accounts’ to deceive people.

Recently, investigators discovered that fraudulent accounts, including current accounts, were being opened in banks in Hyderabad and across India. Basic verification processes were often ignored by bank employees, and large suspicious transactions went unnoticed.

Despite the Telangana Police conducting awareness programs and alerting bank management about these issues, bank staff have continued to neglect proper verification. As a result, criminal charges are now being brought against those involved. Two bank employees in Hyderabad have already been arrested for their role in a major financial fraud.

The investigation also revealed that brokers help fraudsters open these mule accounts using other people’s credentials in exchange for a commission. Some bank officials are suspected of receiving bribes to overlook these fraudulent activities.

Telangana Police have written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), urging them to enforce stricter verification procedures for new bank accounts. The police are also conducting awareness programs for bank employees in the state, and coordinating with RBI and local police in other areas to ensure compliance with guidelines.

Source.

ALSO READ | Hyderabad Cybercrime Saves Techie’s Rs 18 Lakh

Newsbeat

Beware of Fake Chinese Police Scams Worldwide

Scammed by Fake Chinese Police

Chinese people worldwide are being targeted by a scam where criminals pretend to be Chinese police. A British-Chinese woman, Helen Young, shared her story with the BBC. She lost her life savings to con men who wore police uniforms in video calls and even gave her a virtual tour of what looked like a police station.

Helen, an accountant in London, was made to believe she was on China’s most wanted list. Scammers convinced her she was under investigation for a huge fraud in China. They showed her fake evidence and threatened extradition. In fear, Helen sent them her £29,000 life savings as “bail money.”

Helen feels foolish now but says the scam was very convincing. This type of scam has targeted many in the Chinese community. Chinese embassies and the FBI have warned about these scams. In one case, an elderly woman in Los Angeles handed over $3 million, thinking it would stop her extradition.

The scam often starts with a simple phone call. In Helen’s case, it was a person claiming to be a Chinese customs officer about an illegal parcel in her name. She was transferred to “Officer Fang,” who appeared in a video call wearing a police uniform. He showed her a tour of a police station, convincing her it was real.

Officer Fang later accused Helen of involvement in a financial fraud and showed her fake bank statements. He made her sign a confidentiality agreement, warning that breaking it would lead to more trouble. The scammers even made her download an app to monitor her actions.

Helen tried to continue her normal life while working on a personal statement as instructed. She was shown a video of a supposed suspect naming her as an accomplice, which made her believe she was in serious trouble. When Officer Fang threatened extradition, Helen was told to transfer her savings as bail.

After sending £29,000, Helen was asked for another £250,000. Desperate, she tried borrowing from a friend who alerted her daughter. Helen then realized it was a scam. Her bank eventually refunded her money, but the experience was traumatic. She crashed her car twice due to stress and sleep deprivation.

Some victims of these scams have been pushed to fake their own kidnappings to get ransom money from their families. Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi from New South Wales Police has warned about these “virtual kidnappings.” Victims are coerced into making videos to appear as if they’ve been kidnapped, which are then used to demand ransom.

Scammers also trick victims into believing they are working for the Chinese government, using them to intimidate other Chinese students. These scams are often run by Chinese organized crime groups in places like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Chinese state media reports that many suspects have been returned to China.

Awareness of these scams is growing. A student in Japan, who realized he was being scammed, recorded his conversation with the scammers. He refused to hand over money and warned others to be cautious of calls from unknown numbers.

Source.

ALSO READ | Gujarat Job Scam: 4 Arrested in Hyd

Newsbeat

Hyderabad Cybercrime Saves Techie’s Rs 18 Lakh

Hyderabad cybercrime police acted quickly to save a 31-year-old software professional from losing Rs 18 lakh to a scam. The victim, who works in Amberpet, fell prey to a fraudster pretending to be from a courier company.

The fraudster tricked the victim by claiming his Aadhaar details were used in a drug smuggling case and asked him to contact Mumbai cybercrime authorities via Skype. They also convinced him to take a personal loan of Rs 18 lakh and transfer it to their account.

Realizing he had been scammed, the victim promptly reported the incident to cybercrime police. Within just 11 minutes, police worked with the banks involved and managed to block the entire amount from being withdrawn by the fraudsters.

DCP Kavitha advised the public to verify the sources of unexpected calls, messages, or emails before sharing personal or financial details. She warned against transferring money to unknown accounts or responding to unsolicited job offers.

To report cyber financial fraud, people can call the Cybercrime Helpline at 1930, visit their local police station, or use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in. These steps are crucial to prevent falling victim to such scams.

ALSO READ | Rs.60 Lakh Cyber Fraud Foiled! Helpline Saves Woman

Newsbeat

Gujarat Job Scam: 4 Arrested in Hyd

Gujarat Job Scam, Four Men Arrested in Hyderabad for Cyber Fraud Targeting Job Seekers

Hyderabad: Cyberabad police have arrested four men from Gujarat for allegedly cheating people under the pretext of offering work-from-home data entry jobs. The accused, identified as Rahul Ashok Bhai Baviskar (25), Sagar Patil (24), Kalpesh Thorat (26), and Nilesh Patil (24), were apprehended based on a complaint filed by a victim who lost Rs. 6.5 lakh in the scam.

Modus Operandi:

Established Fake Company: Baviskar set up a bogus company named “Flora Solution” and lured job seekers online with promises of data entry jobs.
Recruited Accomplices: He enlisted Sagar Patil to assist him, while Thorat and Nilesh Patil provided bank accounts for the illegal transactions.
Offered Fake Work & Extorted Money: Baviskar offered “captcha typing work” to victims and assured payment. After victims completed the work, he’d reject it, citing errors, and pressure them with fake legal notices demanding money for contract violations.
Nationwide Reach: The gang targeted job seekers across India, duping multiple victims with the same scheme.

Investigation & Arrest:

Following the victim’s complaint, police tracked down the accused in Gujarat and arrested them. During the raid, officers seized six mobile phones, a laptop, and five debit cards used in the operation.

Cyber Crime Awareness:

This incident highlights the importance of caution when seeking online job opportunities. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, especially those demanding upfront payments or personal information. Always research companies before applying and never share financial details with unverified sources.

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Poonam Pandey Fakes Death for Cancer Awareness, Sparks Fury: “Publicity Stunt?”

Chess Player Divya Deshmukh Exposes Sexism at Tata Steel Masters

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Newsbeat

Hyderabad Police Nab Fake Insurance Duo

Hyderabad Cybercrime Busts Fake Insurance Scheme: Two Arrested for Scamming Policyholders with Bogus Company

Hyderabad: Two guys in Hyderabad got caught by the Cybercrime police for tricking people with a fake insurance company. The arrested guys, Bellary Pavan Kumar (27) and Soudri Basavaraj (27) made up a company called ‘Chola MS General Insurance Company Limited’ and even set up a call center.

These guys got hold of a database from Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company and started reaching out to policyholders, telling them to renew their policies. The tricky part was that they gave bank account details to the victims and collected money from them.

The Additional CP (crimes) A V Ranganath explained, “The executives provided bank account details to the unsuspecting victims to pay the amount and collected the amount from them.”

After someone complained about this, the police took action and are now looking into the case.

Also Read…

Telangana Group-I Recruitment: Notification By Feb 1st?

Telangana Group-I Recruitment: Notification by Feb 1st?

Source.

Newsbeat

Hyderabad Doctor Falls Prey to Cyber Fraud, Loses Rs.19.7 Lakh

Hyderabad: A doctor from Hyderabad who wished to earn extra money through a part-time job ended up being duped by cyber fraudsters to the tune of Rs.19.7 lakh.

The 40-year-old complainant, who works for a private hospital in Kukatpally, received a message on his Telegram account a few months ago offering a part-time job with a good salary. Believing the offer to be genuine, the doctor expressed his interest in the job.

According to police sources, the cyber fraudsters collected the doctor’s personal details and bank credentials under various pretexts and then extracted money from his accounts, cheating him of a significant amount.

Following the doctor’s complaint, the Cyberabad Cybercrime police registered a case and initiated an investigation.

This incident serves as a reminder to be cautious of unsolicited messages and job offers received through online platforms. Before sharing any personal or financial information, it is crucial to verify the authenticity of the source and the legitimacy of the offer.

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, so it is essential to remain vigilant and exercise caution when dealing with online transactions or providing personal information. If you suspect any fraudulent activity, report it immediately to the authorities.

Check Out Offers On Mobile Phones At Amazon

Also Read…

Woman loses Rs.59.20 lakh to cyber fraudsters in Hyderabad

 

Newsbeat

Hyderabad Woman Loses Rs 29 Lakhs in Fake Japan Job Offer

Hyderabad: A 42-year-old woman from Moosapet, Hyderabad, was duped into paying Rs 29.27 lakh in the guise of a full-time job offer in Japan. The woman, an accounts and delivery manager, was approached by a company called Renoir Group in July 2023, which promised her a job with Hitachi Automotive.

The woman was sent an offer letter and an In-Principal Approval (IPA) for employment in Japan. She was asked to pay a refundable deposit of Rs 33,780, which she did. Over the next few months, she was asked to pay various other charges, which she was told were refundable with a 40% bonus and relocation once her visa was stamped.

The woman’s meeting with Hitachi representatives was scheduled in Delhi, but it was postponed due to the G20 summit and then again due to a large number of candidates dropping out of the offer. She was later told that the meeting would be conducted in Bengaluru in October, but it was delayed again due to candidates falling ill with dengue and other health issues.

The woman was then told that the first batch meeting was in process and that she would have to join the second batch, as only limited visa stamping was done at the Japan Consultancy in Bengaluru on a given day. She was asked to pay an additional amount for the meeting, but she grew suspicious and contacted the Embassy of Japan in Bengaluru.

The embassy confirmed that Hitachi was not conducting any recruitment drive in Japan. The woman then lodged a complaint with the Cyberabad cybercrime wing, who registered a case and started an investigation.

This incident is a reminder to be cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true. Always do your research on the company and the position before applying, and be wary of any requests for upfront payments. If you are unsure about a job offer, it is always best to consult with a trusted friend or family member.

Continue reading Hyderabad Woman Loses Rs 29 Lakhs in Fake Japan Job Offer →

Newsbeat

India’s First Law Enforcement CISO Council Launched

Telangana Police Launches India’s First Law Enforcement CISO Council

The Telangana Police, with support from the IT industry and academia, launched the Law Enforcement CISO (Chief Information Security Officers) Council on Saturday. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative in India.

The council is a beacon of cybersecurity in Telangana, said Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary IT and Industries. He noted that cybersecurity breaches are multiplying and will continue to grow as more people come online. Individuals or enterprises, no one is an exception to cyber threats and frauds,” he said.

The council will provide a platform for CISOs from the government, industry, and academia to share intelligence and collaborate on cybersecurity initiatives. It will also work with the IT department and other centers of excellence in the state to develop and implement cybersecurity best practices.

Telangana is home to many firsts in the country, and the CISO Council is another example, said DGP Anjani Kumar. “The definition of crime is changing fast. There is no jurisdiction in cybercrimes. This now poses a lot of challenges for police,” he said.

Continue reading India’s First Law Enforcement CISO Council Launched →