Polavaram/Amaravati: Chirri Balaraju, a Jana Sena MLA from Polavaram, Andhra Pradesh, recently became the victim of a cyber fraud in which ₹12 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account. According to officials, the MLA received a message on his mobile phone claiming that he had a pending traffic challan. The message contained a link that appeared to be an official notice from the Road Transport Authority (RTA).
Trusting the message, the MLA clicked on the link. Within minutes, multiple transactions were carried out from his bank account, resulting in a total loss of ₹12 lakh. Upon noticing the unauthorized activity, the MLA immediately approached the nearby Jeelugumilli police station and lodged a complaint. The police have registered a case and, with the assistance of the cybercrime department, are tracking the transactions to identify the source of the fraud.
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Rising Threats via Fake Links
Police officials said that cases of such cyber fraud have been increasing rapidly in recent years. Fraudsters often send fake links under the pretext of RTA challans, bank updates, courier deliveries, or KYC verifications. These links are shared via SMS, WhatsApp, or social media. Once clicked, they can steal personal and financial information and facilitate unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts.
Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta has warned the public to stay vigilant. He advised against clicking on unknown links or downloading suspicious apps. He emphasized that all payments related to challans or bills should be made only through official websites or verified apps.
Quick Action Can Aid Fund Recovery
The DGP further said that if anyone falls victim to such fraud, they should immediately call the cyber helpline number 1930 or visit the nearest police station. Prompt action can sometimes help recover some or all of the lost money.
Cybersecurity experts have noted that scams targeting political and government figures are on the rise. Such incidents not only result in personal financial loss but also raise concerns about public trust and the digital security of government institutions.
Need for Vigilance and Safety Measures
Experts advise users to exercise caution while using mobile phones and computers. Before clicking on any link or installing any app, the source should be verified. For banking and government-related transactions, only official portals and verified apps should be used.
The increase in cyber fraud cases and high-profile victims such as MLA Balaraju highlight the urgent need for both citizens and authorities to remain alert. In recent years, several incidents in Andhra Pradesh have shown that fake links and digital scams can lead to the theft of substantial sums from bank accounts.
