Follow us on Google News
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested 55 persons across seven states in connection with 38 cybercrime cases during October 2026 and refunded nearly ₹50 lakh to fraud victims. The police also registered 129 FIRs based on complaints received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes & SIT) M. Srinivasulu, releasing the monthly performance report on November 4, said the arrested persons were involved in trading fraud, OTP scams, investment fraud, digital arrests and other online offences.
According to the police, victims in 56 cases reported losses totalling ₹25.46 crore, of which ₹49.99 lakh was recovered and refunded during the month.
FCRF’s Chief AI Officer Certification Returns on November 14 to Prepare Future AI Leaders
Trading and OTP Frauds Account for Most Arrests
Of the 55 arrested persons, 16 each were apprehended from Maharashtra and Telangana, followed by nine from Andhra Pradesh, seven from Gujarat, five from Delhi and one each from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Trading fraud accounted for 20 arrests, followed by OTP fraud with 10 and social media-related offences with seven. Four persons each were arrested in investment and business fraud cases, while three arrests each were linked to digital arrest and malicious APK fraud.
Two arrests involved miscellaneous offences, while one each concerned money laundering and honey-trap fraud.
Police seized 37 mobile phones, 10 debit and credit cards, eight cheque books and six bank passbooks during the investigations.
Of the ₹49.99 lakh refunded to victims, trading fraud cases accounted for the highest amount at ₹34.20 lakh, followed by ₹9.54 lakh in digital arrest cases and ₹5.13 lakh in investment fraud cases.
Zonal Cyber Cells Register 393 FIRs, Remove 101 Social Media Profiles
The Zonal Cyber Cells received 2,649 NCRP petitions during October and registered 393 FIRs. They also arrested 18 persons in 14 cases and secured refunds of ₹25.96 lakh for victims.
Under the C-Mitra initiative, police made 2,156 calls to cybercrime victims to provide guidance and assistance. Another 370 Zero FIRs were registered based on complaints received during the month.
As part of cyber patrol operations, the Cyber Crime Unit identified 101 Facebook and Instagram profiles linked to 28 paid advertisements promoting objectionable content involving minors, fraudulent coin and currency sales, misleading betting predictions, guaranteed winnings, matrimonial services, private video calls and fake job opportunities.
All 101 profiles were reported to the respective social media platforms and taken down.
According to the police, the cyber patrol initiative has so far led to the removal of 1,558 social media profiles and 2,631 paid promotional advertisements associated with online gaming, illegal betting and fake investment websites.
Ten FIRs have also been registered against promoters linked to these activities.
Police Highlight ₹38 Lakh Honey-Trap Fraud, Issue Public Advisory
Among the cases highlighted in the monthly report was a honey-trap fraud involving a 70-year-old retired employee from Hyderabad who was allegedly cheated of ₹38 lakh.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man from Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh in connection with the case and seized two mobile phones.
According to investigators, the victim received a Facebook friend request from a woman who gradually gained his confidence and obtained money from him by citing household expenses.
The woman and another person later allegedly threatened to implicate him in criminal cases involving accusations of sexual abuse and extorted ₹38 lakh.
Additional Commissioner Srinivasulu advised citizens to remain cautious about fake social media profiles of senior government officials, fraudulent investment groups, malicious APK files, WhatsApp impersonation, honey traps and digital arrest scams.
He urged victims to immediately report cyber fraud through the national helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in to facilitate the freezing and recovery of stolen funds.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
