Cybercrooks Targeting Rich Senior Citizens To Swindle Money | #cybercrime | #infosec

After a lull for over four months from January 2025, the cyber criminals started targeting retired employees to steal money from their account leaving them shattered. Since May, the Hyderabad cybercrime police are receiving at least one or two cases related to digital arrest every day.

From May till now, around 47 cases were booked and around Rs.65 crore were stolen from the accounts of retired employees threatening them to arrest in various cases. In 2024, as many as 354 digital arrest cases were reported, according to police.

In a recent case, a 79-year-old resident of Domalguda became the victim to a CBI impersonation and extortion scam. On July 6, 2025, the victim received a call from an individual claiming to be Vijay Khanna, a CBI officer, calling from Colaba police station. The fraudster falsely alleged that a bank account in the victim’s name at a nationalized bank at Colaba branch was involved in a money laundering case connected to an accused named Naresh Goel.

They intimidated the victim by claiming the investigation was being conducted under the orders of the Supreme Court, even shared forged documents like court orders and CBI warrants (FIR No. MH/15621/0225), to gain trust.

The victim was warned not to disclose the matter to anyone, citing national security and involvement of high-profile individuals. Manipulated by fear and deception, the victim disclosed his bank account details and was instructed to transfer his funds for verification, with a false promise that the amount would be returned. Over the course of ten days, the victim transferred a total of Rs.35.74 lakh to accounts provided by the fraudsters.

Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cybercrimes, Dara Kavitha told Deccan Chronicle that cybercriminals were targeting retired employees who served in high positions and whose children are working as software engineers, doctors and other elite professions.

A close study of the pattern of the cases by the investigators indicates that the criminals were collecting the numbers of senior citizens sourced from banks through third parties and or shared while doing shopping. The crooks were selectively targeting those retired employees who are maintaining more money in their accounts.

“They (cybercrooks) are executing their plan successfully only after a detail examination of an individual account details,” she explained. When her attention was drawn to the safety measures to prevent these frauds, Kavitha explained that the best way to protect from getting duped in the name of digital arrest was not responding to calls from unknown persons.

At the same time, videos from unknown numbers should not be attended at any cost, she said. If any person receives a call from unknown persons claiming to be police or CBI, he or she should not panic. They must inform the police about the call.

“Even if the callers share any documents, FIR copies, court orders and warrants to gain trust, the citizens should not believe in it and alert the nearest police station or take assistance of the family members or relatives,” Kavitha said.

On their part, the police department has strengthened response to cybercrime by launching Zonal Cyber Cells (ZCCs) across all seven zones of the city in May. The initiative aims to provide swift, localized, and effective solutions to the escalating threat of cybercrime Formation and Evolution of Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS)

The Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS), Hyderabad, was established on January 16, 2010 with an initial sanctioned strength of one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), two Inspectors, five Sub-Inspectors (SIs), four Head Constables (HCs), 24 Police Constables (PCs,) and four Home Guards (HGs), totaling 40 personnel, including the Cyber Crime Lab staff.

In April 2023, the CCPS underwent reorganization, expanding its workforce to one DCP, one Additional DCP, one ACP, nine Inspectors, 20 SIs, nine ASIs, 11 HCs, and 96 PCs, totaling 147 personnel.

Key Observations Related to Cybercrimes in Hyderabad:

* Sharpest Rise (2019-2020): Cases more than doubled from 1,393 (2019) to 2,550 (2020), likely due to increased online activity during the pandemic.

* Overall Trend (2015-2024): Cybercrime cases have surged by 786 per cent in the last nine years.

* Sustained Growth (2022-2024): Cases continue to increase year-on-year, showing an urgent need for robust cybercrime prevention measures.

Precautionary measures:

· Do not share bank account details, OTP, or personal information over phone calls

· Verify the identity of any caller claiming to be a government officer through official contact numbers

· Do not act out of fear or secrecy — consult family members or local police immediately

· Never transfer money to unknown individuals or accounts based on verbal threats or unofficial instructions

· The digital arrest scam is designed to create fear and exploit senior citizens emotionally and financially

· Awareness and prompt reporting are key to preventing further victimization.

· Preserve all communication, including messages, call records, and transaction proofs

· Victims of cybercrime fraud can immediately dial 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in

· In case of any emergency of cyber frauds please call or WhatsApp 8712665171.

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