Hyderabad: Cyber Fraud Costs Family ₹5.5 Crore in ‘Digital Arrest’

A 67-year-old woman and her two daughters from Hyderabad fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam, losing ₹5.5 crore during a 17-day ordeal. The fraudsters, posing as investigators from central agencies, coerced the victims under the guise of a ‘Digital Arrest.’

The ordeal began on November 13 when the elderly woman received a call from someone claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller accused her of involvement in money laundering and drug cases linked to her Aadhaar-linked phone number.

The scammers manipulated the family into transferring funds in multiple installments. When the victims approached the CBI office in Sultan Bazaar for clarification, they realized they had been duped.

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has registered a case under the IT Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and banking regulations. Investigations are ongoing to trace the perpetrators.