In a remarkable turn of events, a software engineer from Hyderabad managed to recover ₹18 lakh that he had lost in a parcel scam, thanks to the prompt action taken by the local police. This case highlights the importance of reporting cyber fraud incidents immediately and the steps that can be taken to prevent such crimes.
The victim, a software engineer from Hyderabad, received a call from someone impersonating a FedEx courier representative. The fraudster claimed that the victim’s Aadhaar card had been used to transport illegal drugs from Mumbai to Iran, and the victim was instructed to contact the Mumbai Cyber Crime department via Skype. Believing the story, the victim transferred ₹18 lakh from his bank account as a “verification” process, only to realize later that he had been scammed.
Immediately after the incident, the victim reached out to the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police at 6:58 PM on the same day. A duty constable named N. Srikanth Naik, who handles the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), promptly registered the complaint and escalated it to the victim’s bank and the suspect bank. Within just 11 minutes, the banks were able to block the fraudulent transaction, saving the entire ₹18 lakh that the victim had lost.
This case highlights the importance of the “golden hour” rule in cyber fraud cases, which refers to the crucial period immediately after a fraud has occurred. By reporting the incident promptly, the victim was able to recover the lost funds, thanks to the swift action taken by the police and the banks.
Cyber crimes, particularly online investment scams, have been on the rise in Telangana. According to reports, the state saw a staggering ₹27.4 crore lost in such scams in 2024 alone. Victims are frequently targeted through messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Twitter, where fraudsters offer lucrative investment opportunities.
In another case, a 23-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad lost ₹5.76 lakh in an investment fraud, where the scammers promised high returns on a cryptocurrency investment. These incidents highlight the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to combat cyber fraud.
Telangana has taken several steps to address the issue of cyber crimes. The state has set up the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and a dedicated helpline (1930) to assist victims in reporting and recovering their losses. The state has also been successful in recovering a significant amount of the lost funds, standing second in the country in terms of money recovered from cyber crime victims.
To prevent such cyber frauds, experts suggest a comprehensive framework involving various stakeholders, including telecom and police departments, as well as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Increased cyber security awareness and proactive measures are crucial to protect individuals and businesses from the growing threat of cyber crimes.
In conclusion, the case of the Hyderabad-based software engineer who recovered his ₹18 lakh lost in a cyber fraud serves as a testament to the importance of prompt reporting and the effectiveness of the authorities’ response. By raising awareness and implementing robust security measures, individuals and organizations can better safeguard themselves against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
