TGCSB Saves Rs 85.20 Lakh Lost by Neredmet Pensioner in Digital Arrest Fraud

HYDERABAD — The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has saved Rs 85.20 lakh after swiftly intervening in a digital arrest scam targeting an 85-year-old retired bank employee residing in Neredmet.

The cyber fraud began when the elderly victim was contacted by an imposter posing as an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The fraudster falsely claimed that the complainant's Aadhaar details had been misused to open bank accounts and execute fraudulent transactions amounting to approximately Rs 2.5 crore across Karnataka and Kerala.

To intimidate the victim, the fraudster appeared on a video call dressed in a police uniform and spoke in Telugu. Threatening him with immediate arrest and severe legal consequences, the scammer warned the pensioner not to inform anyone, claiming that disclosure would prompt a police visit to his house.

Believing the caller was a legitimate government official, the victim transferred Rs 85.20 lakh to a designated bank account under the pretext of a mandatory Reserve Bank of India (RBI) verification process. The fraudster assured him that the entire sum would be refunded once verification was complete. However, the scammer subsequently demanded an additional Rs 42 lakh, which raised the victim's suspicion.

The victim contacted his bank, realised he was being targeted by cybercriminals, and lodged a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).

Following the complaint, TGCSB officers quickly tracked the financial trail and froze the suspect account at an IDFC Bank branch in Coimbatore, successfully securing the entire Rs 85.20 lakh transferred by the victim. The complaint has since been transferred to the Cybercrime Police Station in Malkajgiri for further investigation.

TGCSB Director Shikha Goel reminded the public that genuine officials from the police, NIA, CBI, RBI, or other government bodies never demand money transfers for verification, investigation, or security purposes. Victims of financial cybercrimes are urged to dial 1930 and report incidents immediately on the NCRP portal.