Habsiguda man loses Rs 80 lakh in cyber fraud; scammers posed as TRAI, police, judiciary

Hyderabad: An 83-year-old retired bank employee from Habsiguda was cheated of over Rs 80 lakh in a cyber fraud where criminals impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the police and even the judiciary.

How the fraud unfolded

On July 12, the victim received a call from a person claiming to represent TRAI. The caller alleged that the victim’s Aadhaar number had been misused and linked to international human trafficking operations in Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines.

To strengthen their claim, the fraudsters sent the victim a tampered Canara Bank ATM card in his name and a forged Supreme Court notice showing him as an accused.

They further asserted that a case had been registered in Delhi. Shocked by these claims, the victim was pressured into transferring money repeatedly, eventually losing Rs 80,64,002.

The victim later realised that the entire operation was a scam carried out by cyber criminals impersonating government and law enforcement officials.

Police advisory

Following the case, Hyderabad police issued a detailed public advisory:

• Police or any law enforcement agency will never call you to inform you that you are under arrest. There is no such thing as a ‘digital arrest.’

• No law enforcement agency will ask you to transfer money for verification or investigation.

• Cybercriminals are posing as officials from TRAI, CBI, police departments, or government agencies and falsely claiming that you are involved in trafficking, money laundering, or financial crimes.

• They may share fake documents like CBI warrants, FIRs, or even forged Supreme Court orders to create fear and gain your trust.

Safety guidelines for citizens

Authorities urged citizens to exercise caution when receiving suspicious calls:

• Do not share bank account details, OTPs, 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.

“This scam is designed to create fear and exploit senior citizens emotionally and financially. Awareness and prompt reporting are key to preventing further victimisation.”

How to report

Victims or witnesses of such crimes are advised to report immediately through:

• Cybercrime Helpline: 1930

• National Cybercrime Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in

• Emergency contact: 8712665171 (call or WhatsApp)