Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters have cheated three residents of Hyderabad of a combined ₹3.26 crore in separate incidents by exploiting trust through fake online job offers and fraudulent stock market investment schemes. The cases, reported from different parts of the city, reveal a common pattern in which victims were first reassured with small payouts before being induced to part with significantly larger amounts. Based on complaints, separate cases have been registered at the Cyberabad Cybercrime Police Station, and investigations are under way.
In the first case, a retired employee of the defence department from Miyapur was targeted through a work-from-home offer circulated on Telegram. The fraudsters initially assigned simple online tasks and credited small sums to the victim’s bank account, creating the impression of a legitimate income opportunity. Once the victim’s confidence was gained, the fraudsters introduced so-called “investment tasks”, “security deposits” and “account upgrade” requirements, each demanding progressively higher payments.
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Police said the victim was allowed to withdraw only a negligible portion of the money he transferred, while repeated attempts to access the remaining amount were blocked on the pretext of technical issues. By the time the deception became clear, the retired employee had lost ₹91.03 lakh.
The second case involved a homemaker from Dundigal who was added to a WhatsApp group claiming to be a “VIP stock investment club”. The group regularly shared screenshots of alleged profits and posted messages assuring members of guaranteed and risk-free returns. Encouraged by these claims and initial gains shown on the platform, the homemaker began investing small amounts, which gradually increased over time.
According to the complaint, once a substantial sum had been transferred, the fraudsters began delaying and eventually blocking withdrawal requests. When repeated follow-ups yielded only excuses, the victim realised she had been cheated. The total loss in this case was ₹1.09 crore.
In the third incident, a former IT employee from Madinaguda was drawn into a fraudulent trading scheme through a social media advertisement offering professional guidance in stock market investments. The individuals behind the scheme projected themselves as market experts and persuaded the victim to invest through an online platform. Initial transactions showed modest profits, reinforcing the belief that the investment was genuine.
However, after the victim invested larger sums, communication from the fraudsters abruptly stopped. Attempts to withdraw funds failed, and the platform became inaccessible. The former IT employee eventually lost ₹1.26 crore in the scam.
Investigators said that despite the different entry points — Telegram messages, WhatsApp groups and social media advertisements — all three cases followed a similar trajectory. Fraudsters first built trust by showing early returns, then applied psychological pressure and false assurances to extract larger payments before disappearing.
Cybercrime officials noted that platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp are increasingly being used for such scams because of the ease with which anonymous accounts and groups can be created. Bank transaction records, digital trails and phone numbers linked to the frauds are being analysed to identify those involved.
Police have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution while responding to online job offers or investment opportunities, particularly those promising assured or unusually high returns. They advised that no legitimate employer or investment platform demands upfront payments, security deposits or repeated transfers under the guise of unlocking profits.
Cyber experts said that as digital transactions become more common, cyber fraud techniques are also growing more sophisticated. Awareness and verification, they stressed, remain the strongest defences. Citizens are advised to verify the credentials of online platforms, avoid unsolicited offers, and never rely solely on screenshots or testimonials shared in messaging groups.
Authorities also reiterated the importance of prompt reporting. Any suspected cyber fraud should be immediately reported to the cybercrime portal or the nearest police station. Early reporting, officials said, improves the chances of tracing transactions and recovering at least part of the defrauded amount.
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.
