Police helpless as cyber criminals on loose, loot people brazenly

Hyderabad: Despite their efforts to caution the people against cyber frauds and making them aware of the methods employed by the crooks, police have been unable to check cyber crime in the State. The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police registered several cases against the unknown persons for indulging in offences related to cyber fraud in which government employees, bank employees and businessmen were cheated of lakhs of rupees.

A retired government lost Rs 60.92 lakh to a trading business fraud. According to police, they received a complaint from a 69 year-old retired government employee alleging that he saved his money obtained after his retirement benefits. He was lured by miscreants on the name of `FORBES EMF’ trading business. Initially, the victim used to deposit a nominal amount and received profits. After investing a huge amount, the cyber criminals duped him to the tune of Rs 45.23 lakh.

Similarly, a 77 year-old retired SBI bank manager, resident of Ashoknagar, approached the Cyber Crime Police in Hyderabad and lodged a complaint alleging that he received APk files on the name of SBI bank by WhatsApp. Trusting it was sent by SBI, he clocked the files and generated an OTP. Minutes after furnishing the OTP details, the cyber criminals transferred Rs 3.90 lakh from his account. When he verified the account statement, the funds were transferred without his knowledge.In another incident, a 58 year-old central government employee lost Rs 8.30 lakh from his accounts after cyber criminals used a similar method of sending APK files to his mobile by WhatsApp. After clicking such files, the miscreants generated an OTP to his mobile and transferred funds without his knowledge. A 68 year-old businessman from Bandlaguda lost Rs 3.49 lakh after miscreants impersonated as employees of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) sending a text message that the victim was pending water bills for the past one year giving their mobile number. Believing the message, the victim called to such a mobile number. Miscreants sent a link to pay the bill or disconnect the water connection.

The accused generated OTP and looted the funds from his account. In all these complaints, the Hyderabad cyber crime police registered cases under relevant sections and started investigations.

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The Hans India