Hyderabad: Cyber criminals are stealing more than Rs 1 crore every day from Hyderabad residents, with total losses crossing Rs 400 crore in the past year, far exceeding the Rs 30 crore lost to thefts and robberies.
Speaking at a Cyber Jagrookta Diwas awareness programme organised by the Hyderabad City Cyber Crime Wing at Visvesvaraya Bhavan, Khairatabad, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, IPS, said cybercrime has emerged as one of the biggest threats to citizens’ savings.
He urged people to remain vigilant while using digital platforms.
Hyderabad Police raise alarm
Alarmed by the growing menace, Hyderabad Police have issued a fresh warning against ‘digital arrest’ scams, fake investment schemes and online banking frauds, particularly targeting senior citizens and retired employees.
Cybercrime outpaces conventional crime
Sajjanar said cyber fraud has caused losses of over Rs 400 crore in Hyderabad in the last year, while conventional crimes such as theft and robbery accounted for around Rs 30 crore in losses.
He said the figures underline how rapidly cybercrime is growing and stressed that awareness remains the strongest defence.
No such thing as a ‘digital arrest’
The Commissioner cautioned people against fraudsters impersonating officials from the CBI, ED, RBI or the police and threatening victims with so-called ‘digital arrest.’
“There is no provision called digital arrest under Indian law or in the policing system,” he said, urging people to disconnect such calls immediately instead of engaging with the scammers.
Fake investment and trading apps promise unusually high returns
Sajjanar also warned citizens against investment offers and trading links shared through WhatsApp and Telegram groups.
He advised investors to trade only through SEBI-registered brokers and authorised Demat accounts, noting that scammers often lure victims with promises of unusually high returns.
Don’t risk retirement savings
Highlighting another growing concern, the Police Commissioner said retirement savings are increasingly being lost after children unknowingly download gaming or betting applications using family smartphones.
He urged senior citizens to closely monitor phone usage and never share bank details, PINs or OTPs with anyone.
Report fraud immediately to improve recovery chances
Victims of cyber fraud should immediately call the 1930 Cyber Helpline or lodge a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), Sajjanar said.
Reporting the crime during the ‘golden hour’ significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent bank accounts and recovering stolen money.
Former DGPs share safety tips
Former Andhra Pradesh DGP M Ratan said he had instructed his bank not to process withdrawals or cheque clearances above Rs 5,000 without his prior approval as an additional safeguard against fraud.
He also advised senior citizens to be cautious while allowing children to use their phones, as even a single click on a malicious link could compromise bank accounts.
Former DGP Poonam Malakondaiah said recovering money lost to cyber fraud remains difficult even after an FIR is registered. He advised people to maintain a separate bank account with limited funds for routine digital transactions instead of using their primary savings account.
Police step up awareness drive
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes) M Srinivas said cyber criminals continue to evolve new methods to deceive people and urged citizens to stay alert to suspicious calls, messages and online offers.
He said Hyderabad Police will continue conducting awareness programmes to help citizens protect themselves from cyber fraud.
The awareness programme was attended by former senior police officers, officials of the Institution of Engineers, Hyderabad Police officers and a large number of retired employees and senior citizens.
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