Hyderabad: Illegal loan apps harass Sanathnagar resident, morph photos, extort Rs 36.16 lakh
Between September 2025 and February 2026, nearly Rs 29 lakh was credited into the victim’s SBI account as loans
By - Newsmeter Network
Representational Image
Hyderabad: A 46-year-old resident of Sanath Nagar fell victim to an illegal digital lending racket after downloading loan applications from the Google Play Store, leading to sustained harassment, blackmail and a net financial loss of over Rs 36 lakh, said Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police on Saturday.
How the fraud began
According to police, the victim downloaded two loan applications, Loan Radar and Quick Funds, in August 2025 and initially borrowed small sums.
Despite making timely repayments, the apps allegedly credited higher loan amounts into his bank account without his consent.
Though the loan tenure was shown as seven days, the harassment began from the sixth day itself.
Threats, harassment and image morphing
During installation, the apps sought access to the victim’s contacts and photo gallery. This data was allegedly misused to morph his personal photographs with obscene images.
The fraudsters then threatened to circulate these morphed images among his contacts unless payments were made. The victim reportedly received continuous threatening calls and messages, causing severe mental distress.
Rs 64 lakh paid under pressure
Between September 2025 and February 2026, nearly Rs 29 lakh was credited into the victim’s SBI account as loans. However, under constant threats and blackmail, he ended up repaying a total of Rs 64,16,242.64. This resulted in a net financial loss of approximately Rs 36,16,242.
Police Advisory: Beware of Illegal Loan Apps
Cyber Crime Police have issued a strong public advisory urging citizens to stay alert while using digital lending platforms.
Key precautions include:
Download loan apps only from trusted and verified financial institutions.
Check whether the lender is RBI-registered via the RBI website (Citizen’s Corner → Digital Lending Apps deployed by regulated entities).
Verify app ratings, reviews and developer details before installation.
Avoid granting unnecessary permissions such as access to contacts, gallery, camera or messages.
Be cautious of apps offering instant loans with minimal documentation.
Never respond to threats or transfer money under pressure.
Do not share personal photos, OTPs, bank details or identity documents with unknown apps or callers.
What to do if you are a victim
Police advise immediate action in cases of harassment or financial fraud:
Call 1930, the National Cyber Crime Helpline.
Lodge a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Report the matter to the nearest Cyber Crime Police Station.
