Hyderabad: A major financial fraud has surfaced in Telangana’s Cyberabad area, where a couple has been booked for allegedly cheating over 20 individuals of around ₹2.14 crore by luring them with promises of high returns from a so-called “toy shop investment” scheme. In a separate but equally alarming case, a 72-year-old retired teacher was duped of ₹25 lakh through a ‘digital arrest’ scam, highlighting the evolving tactics of cybercriminals.
10% Return Bait Used To Hook Investors
According to the complaint, the accused—identified as Vadde Sri Priya and Ramakrishna—approached the victims through personal contacts, claiming to run a profitable business in toy shops in the Tirumala-Tirupati region. They promised returns of up to 10% within just 10 days, along with claims of earning nearly ₹50,000 per day from the venture.
The complainant, Kandikonda Lavanya, stated that she initially invested ₹1 lakh and received partial returns, which helped build her confidence in the scheme. Encouraged by the early payout, she went on to invest larger sums in multiple instalments. However, payments soon became irregular, and a significant portion of her investment remained unpaid.
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Initial Payouts Built Trust Before Crores Vanished
When Lavanya demanded the remaining ₹4.12 lakh, the accused allegedly delayed repayment, assuring her it would be cleared by the second week of April. But when she visited their residence, she found it locked. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the couple had vacated the premises and stopped responding to calls.
Further investigation indicated that more than 20 people may have fallen victim to the same scheme, with total losses estimated at ₹2.14 crore. Officials believe the operation followed a classic pattern of financial fraud—offering unrealistic returns, providing initial payouts to gain trust, and then disappearing after collecting large sums.
Fake ATS Calls Put Elderly Victim in Fear
Authorities noted that no verifiable evidence of any legitimate toy shop business or investment activity has been found so far, suggesting the scheme was fraudulent from the outset. Investigators are now examining financial records, bank transactions, and digital communications to trace the flow of funds and identify additional victims.
In a parallel development, another case from Cyberabad has revealed a disturbing trend of ‘digital arrest’ scams targeting vulnerable individuals. A 72-year-old retired teacher from Ameenpur was allegedly coerced into transferring ₹25 lakh after receiving calls from fraudsters posing as Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials.
Between April 14 and April 30, the victim was repeatedly contacted and falsely informed that her Aadhaar details were linked to a terrorism funding case. The callers claimed that the matter was under investigation at the Supreme Court level and warned her of severe legal consequences, including restrictions on her movement.
Digital Trails, Bank Accounts Now Under Probe
Under constant surveillance via video and WhatsApp calls, the woman was instructed not to inform anyone and was even made to submit a written undertaking. Citing “verification procedures,” the fraudsters forced her to transfer ₹25 lakh into multiple bank accounts.
Realising the deception later, the victim approached cybercrime authorities, following which a case was registered. Investigators suspect that such scams rely heavily on psychological manipulation, fear tactics, and impersonation of law enforcement agencies.
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh explained that these frauds are increasingly sophisticated and often combine emotional triggers with technical deception. “In investment scams, victims are lured through greed and trust-building. In digital arrest cases, fear and authority are used as tools. Both rely on social engineering and structured execution,” he said.
He cautioned the public against falling for offers promising unusually high returns and stressed that no legitimate agency demands payment over the phone or via video calls for verification.
Officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing in both cases. Digital devices, call records, and bank accounts linked to the accused are being closely examined. Authorities believe more victims and possibly additional suspects could emerge as the probe progresses.
The cases underscore the urgent need for public awareness and vigilance as cybercriminals continue to refine their methods, blending financial fraud with psychological coercion to exploit unsuspecting individuals across the country.
