Senior citizens in Hyderabad lost more than ₹102 crore to cyber fraud in 403 cases registered between January 2025 and July 2026, with trading frauds and digital arrest scams accounting for the largest share of the losses, according to Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police.
Police data showed that trading fraud alone resulted in losses of ₹55.88 crore across 113 cases, while 69 digital arrest cases caused losses of ₹31.93 crore. The figures underline the financial impact of cybercrime on people aged above 60, who were targeted through investment offers, impersonation scams and other forms of online deception.
Trading Scams Account for Biggest Share of Losses
Trading fraud emerged as the costliest category, with cybercriminals allegedly approaching victims through WhatsApp and Telegram and promising unusually high returns from forex and stock market trading through fake applications.
Of the 403 cases involving senior citizens, 115 cases involving OTP fraud resulted in losses of ₹4.94 crore. Investment fraud accounted for another 22 cases and losses of ₹2.79 crore.
Seven cases involving dating fraud and honeytraps caused losses exceeding ₹70.11 lakh. Fraudsters allegedly exploited the emotional isolation of elderly victims through fake social media and dating profiles.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar urged senior citizens to remain vigilant and keep themselves informed about changing cybercrime methods.
Cases Decline in 2026, Police Cite Bank Intervention
Police data indicated a decline in cyber fraud cases involving senior citizens during 2026. In 2025, 285 such cases were registered, involving losses of ₹71.81 crore. Till July 31 this year, 118 cases had been registered with losses of about ₹30.20 crore.
The monthly average consequently declined from 24 cases in 2025 to 17 cases this year.
In one recent case, a 75-year-old retired government officer from Jubilee Hills was allegedly approached through a part-time job offer on WhatsApp and later moved to a Telegram group offering foreign exchange trading. After showing him fake profits, fraudsters allegedly extracted ₹96 lakh from him in the form of withdrawal and processing fees.
Investigators said family members often failed to notice changes in the digital activity or banking transactions of elderly relatives, allowing fraud to be detected only after substantial losses had occurred.
Police said alert bank staff had, however, helped prevent several high-value frauds by questioning unusual transactions, including the premature closure of fixed deposits and large RTGS or NEFT transfers.
Police Warn Seniors Against ‘Digital Arrest’ Threats
Sajjanar advised senior citizens not to panic when contacted by people claiming to be police officers or government officials. He said there was no legal procedure known as a “digital arrest” and that no law-enforcement agency would demand money or conduct interrogations over phone or video calls.
Police advised victims to report cyber fraud immediately by calling 1930 or through the national cybercrime reporting portal.
Officials said reporting an incident during the “golden hour” could help banks and investigators freeze fraudulent transactions and improve the chances of recovering the money.
