Hyderabad: Bizman foils extortion bid of cybercrooks using Telangana’s Home Secretary Ravi Gupta DP; case registered

Hyderabad: A 61-year-old businessman showed a sharp presence of mind when he timely gauged the plan of scammers who tried to extort money by using the DP of Telangana Home Secretary Ravi Gupta on WhatsApp.

Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has registered a case and initiated an investigation.

WhatsApp call from a Pakistani Number

The businessman received a WhatsApp voice call on June 19 from a number beginning with the +92 country code, commonly linked to Pakistan. The caller ID displayed the name “CBI – Vikram” and used the photo of Home Secretary Ravi Gupta, adding a layer of deception to the call.

Fake arrest claim and emotional manipulation

A woman, posing as a Canadian cybercrime official, claimed that the businessman’s daughter had been arrested in a drug case. When he asked to speak with her, the caller refused, citing “third-degree interrogation.” To create panic, she played background audio of people crying.

Demand for Rs 50,000 via PhonePe

The fraudster demanded Rs 50,000 for the “release” of the daughter and provided a PhonePe number for the payment. The businessman, under pressure and emotionally distressed, considered transferring the money but wisely decided to first contact his daughter, who was safe at home in Canada.

Police case registered

Realizing it was a scam, the victim reported the incident to police. The TGCSB has registered a case under: Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act and Sections 308(3), 318(4), 319(2), and 338 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

Cybercrime Advisory

Officials have urged the public to remain cautious of similar impersonation and extortion attempts, especially those involving emotional manipulation. They advised verifying such claims with family members or contacting local law enforcement before taking any action.