A Hyderabad based businessman has alleged that he lost Rs 5.56 crore after fraudsters posing as officials of a central government cybersecurity council lured him with promises of student stipends, internships and government backed training centres, prompting an investigation by the Central Crime Station police.
How the Contact Was Established
The complainant, Datti Nalini Kumar, director of Tech Fair Technologies Private Limited and a resident of Attapur, approached CCS police after realising that the entire operation was allegedly fraudulent. According to police, he came into contact with KVN Prameel Arjun through a mutual acquaintance, Aditya Ram.
Investigators said Prameel introduced himself as the director and South Regional Head of the National Information and Cyber Security Council, claiming that the organisation functioned under the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. To gain the businessman’s confidence, he allegedly showed videos of certificate distribution programmes, media coverage, speeches and a professionally designed website.
Police said the accused also claimed that the organisation had partnerships with institutions such as Delhi Police and SBI, further strengthening the impression that the proposal was genuine.
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Promises of Stipends and Government Backing
According to investigators, Prameel told Nalini Kumar that the council conducted cybersecurity training programmes for students and offered internships and certificates on completion. He allegedly said students enrolling in the programme would receive government stipends after six months if they paid subscription fees.
Police said the accused also proposed that Tech Fair Technologies could become a Centre of Excellence for the programme by paying Rs 1 crore as a partnership fee. He further allegedly told the businessman that students would need to pay Rs 5,000 for cybersecurity training and Rs 2,000 for login credentials, while the company could collect up to Rs 15,000 per student.
Investigators added that Prameel also allegedly promised government funding of Rs 2 crore for establishing cyber security training laboratories, presenting the scheme as a profitable and officially supported opportunity.
Crores Transferred Before Fraud Surfaced
Believing the claims, the businessman reportedly transferred Rs 5.56 crore in multiple transactions to various bank accounts linked to the National Information and Cyber Security Council and Pricus Private Limited. Police said he also spent about Rs 3 crore on setting up Centre of Excellence offices in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, in addition to paying salaries to trainers and meeting operational expenses.
The fraud came to light only after none of the promised benefits, government support or training outcomes materialised. Police said the complainant then realised he had been cheated and lodged a complaint.
Following the complaint, CCS police registered a case and began an investigation into the alleged cyber training scam. Authorities are now examining the transactions and claims made in connection with the scheme.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
