Hyderabad, Sept. 8 (Maxim News) : Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested 47 people in 36 cybercrime cases across seven states during August 2026.
The Cyber Crime Police Station received multiple complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Police registered 65 FIRs during the month. The operations also helped victims recover Rs.99,79,057.
Police arrested 16 people in investment fraud cases and 12 in trading fraud cases. They also arrested seven people for social media related offences.
Furthermore, police arrested three people each in OTP fraud and impersonation cases. Two people each faced arrests in job fraud and credit card fraud cases.
Police also arrested one person each in APK fraud and advertisement fraud cases. The arrests covered Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Telangana recorded the highest number of arrests with 15. Andhra Pradesh followed with 14 arrests, while Delhi accounted for eight.
Maharashtra and Karnataka recorded four arrests each. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh recorded one arrest each.
Police seized 28 mobile phones, three cheque books and three SIM cards. They also seized one debit card, laptop, router, hard disk and Apple iPad.
Trading fraud accounted for the largest reported financial loss. Twenty five cases involved losses of Rs.17.05 crore. Police recovered Rs.57.96 lakh in these cases.
Four APK fraud cases involved losses of Rs.21.23 lakh. Victims received Rs.12.42 lakh in refunds.
Two business fraud cases caused losses of Rs.18.47 lakh. Police helped recover Rs.7.18 lakh.
One advertisement fraud case involved a loss of Rs.8.90 lakh. The refund reached Rs.2.84 lakh.
A credit card fraud case involved Rs.3.87 lakh in losses. The refund stood at Rs.3.87 lakh.
A WhatsApp display picture fraud case caused a loss of Rs.20 lakh. Police recovered Rs.15.50 lakh.
Overall, the 34 cases in the refund statement involved losses of Rs.17.77 crore. Police recovered Rs.99.79 lakh for victims.
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Intensify Digital Fraud Crackdown
Meanwhile, zonal cyber cells received 2,952 NCRP petitions during August. Officials registered 349 FIRs and arrested 20 people in 16 cases.
The cells also helped refund Rs.41.05 lakh to victims.
Cyber Crime Police also intensified digital monitoring through their cyber patrol operations. Teams identified 231 Facebook and Instagram profiles linked to suspicious paid advertisements.
The advertisements promoted videos involving minors with abusive, vulgar, obscene or inappropriate language. Police said the promoters sought views, likes, followers, subscribers and monetisation.
Teams also identified promotions involving old and rare coins. Other advertisements promoted tractor design Rs.5 currency notes and Rs.786 serial number currency notes.
Police also detected misleading betting predictions and guaranteed winning schemes. Suspicious advertisements offered matrimonial arrangements, private video calls and fraudulent employment opportunities.
Such activities can expose users to financial fraud, cheating, blackmail and identity theft. They can also create risks for children and public safety.
Police reported all 231 identified profiles to the concerned social media platforms. The platforms took down the profiles as a preventive measure.
The wider cyber patrol campaign has identified and removed 1,317 social media profiles. It has also taken down 2,573 paid advertisements.
These advertisements promoted online gaming, illegal betting and fake investment websites targeting users in India. Police have registered nine FIRs against the promoters.
The C Mitra initiative also supported victims during August. Teams made 2,043 calls to victims and provided guidance.
The initiative also helped register 290 Zero FIRs based on complaints.
In one important trading fraud case, a victim lost Rs.25.50 lakh after losing his mobile phone. The incident occurred after he travelled by bus from Abids Bus Stand.
The victim later discovered unauthorised UPI transactions from his bank account. He told police that he did not use any UPI application.
Police registered the case under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act. They also invoked Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police arrested three accused persons in the case. They also seized four mobile phones.
The Cyber Crime Police also highlighted the Money Restoration Module. The Ministry of Home Affairs launched the MRM with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
The platform helps victims seek recovery of funds frozen in suspected fraud accounts. It connects victims with banks, law enforcement agencies and payment aggregators.
The police also referred to the Grievance Redressal Mechanism. The system helps address grievances involving frozen bank accounts and funds held during cybercrime investigations.
Citizens can use the mechanism when authorities freeze their accounts because of suspected links to cyber fraud. The process also supports genuine victims seeking recovery of defrauded funds.
The system creates a standard process between victims, the NCRP, police and financial institutions.
Police urged citizens to remain alert against fake profiles of senior government officials. Fraudsters may use such profiles to seek money or favours.
Officials advised people to verify such requests through official channels. They also warned against fake investment groups on Telegram, WhatsApp, X, Instagram and Facebook.
Police advised citizens to use only SEBI approved investment applications. They also recommended consulting a SEBI registered financial adviser before making investment decisions.
Officials warned people about malicious APK files and phishing links. Fraudsters may send such files through SMS or WhatsApp while posing as banks or government agencies.
Police stressed that banks do not send APK files through SMS or WhatsApp. They advised users not to click suspicious links or download unknown files.
Police also warned about WhatsApp display picture fraud. Criminals can copy profile pictures and create fake accounts to demand money.
Officials advised users to lock their WhatsApp profile pictures and activate two step verification.
The advisory also covered honey trap, social media profile and matrimonial fraud. Criminals may create fake identities and gradually build trust with victims.
They may then obtain personal or intimate content through conversations and video calls. Police warned that criminals can use such content to threaten victims for money.
Officials advised citizens to verify profiles and immediately stop communication with suspected fraudsters. They also urged people to use trusted matrimonial platforms.
Police further warned about so called digital arrest scams. Fraudsters may claim to represent agencies such as the CBI, RBI, ED, Customs or Cyber Crime Police.
They may also falsely claim links with the Judiciary, Narcotics Bureau, FedEx, BSNL or TRAI. Police stressed that no government agency or law enforcement authority demands money through phone or Skype calls.
Officials also clarified that there is no concept of digital arrest or online enquiry in the legal system.
Police urged victims to report cyber fraud immediately. Early reporting can help authorities freeze fraudulent transactions and recover part or all of the lost money.
Citizens can call the national cybercrime helpline at **1930**. They can also report incidents through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police advised citizens to remain cautious while using digital platforms. Officials stressed that quick reporting, account security and verification can reduce the impact of online fraud. (Maxim News)
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