Hyderabad, November 19, 2024: In yet another case of cyber fraud, a 30-year-old woman from Hyderabad fell prey to scammers who impersonated her employer on WhatsApp, deceiving her into transferring ₹1.70 lakh to unknown accounts.
The victim, employed with a private company in the city, received messages from a WhatsApp account appearing to belong to her superior. Believing the communication to be genuine, she followed instructions and transferred the money through UPI to accounts provided in the messages.
It was only after the transaction that she discovered her employer’s account had been hacked and the messages were sent by cybercriminals. Upon realizing the fraud, she lodged a complaint with the Hyderabad Cybercrime Police, who have registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Similar Cyber Fraud Cases in Hyderabad
This incident adds to the growing list of cyber frauds in Hyderabad. Earlier this year, several individuals, including a businessman and a retired government employee, lost significant sums to similar scams.
- Businessman Scammed for ₹12 Lakh: In June, a Hyderabad-based entrepreneur lost ₹12 lakh to fraudsters impersonating a bank official. The scammers convinced him to share his banking details under the guise of verifying transactions.
- Retired Employee Duped for ₹5 Lakh: In another case, a retired government employee lost ₹5 lakh after fraudsters posed as representatives from a pension department, claiming to update his pension account details.
- Job Scam Victims: In August, a group of students applying for jobs were tricked into paying registration fees for fake opportunities listed on fraudulent websites.
Police Warnings and Advisory
Cybercrime officials have repeatedly urged citizens to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of any communication received on social media platforms, especially those involving financial transactions.
“In most cases, scammers use cloned accounts or hacked profiles to deceive victims. We advise individuals not to act on messages requesting money without thorough verification,” an official from Hyderabad Cybercrime Police stated.
How to Stay Safe
To prevent falling victim to such frauds, the police recommend:
- Verifying the sender’s identity through a direct call or meeting.
- Avoiding financial transactions based solely on messages received on social media or messaging apps.
- Reporting suspicious activity to cybercrime authorities immediately.
With cases of digital fraud on the rise, authorities are emphasizing the need for public awareness and urging people to use online platforms cautiously. Investigations into this recent case and others are ongoing as police aim to trace the scammers and recover the lost amounts.
