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Cybercrime police in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district have registered 50 cases involving financial losses exceeding ₹15 crore, as digital arrest scams, fraudulent investment schemes and fake mutual fund offers continue to target residents, particularly senior citizens.
Police received more than 10 cybercrime complaints in the past week alone, prompting intensified efforts to trace fraudulent transactions, identify suspects and freeze bank accounts used to transfer stolen money.
The cases were registered as part of efforts to address previously pending cybercrime complaints in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines.
Vijayawada Commissioner of Police S V Rajasekhara Babu said fraudsters were increasingly impersonating police officers, government officials and financial experts to deceive victims through threats of arrest or promises of high investment returns.
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Police Register 50 Cases as Cyber Fraud Losses Cross ₹15 Crore
According to police, the newly registered cases involve different forms of cyber-enabled financial cheating, including digital arrest fraud and investment scams.
Officials said the total reported losses across these incidents exceeded ₹15 crore.
Investigators have begun examining suspicious transactions and freezing bank accounts believed to have been used to receive or route fraud proceeds.
Police are also coordinating with banks and other agencies to trace the movement of funds and identify the beneficiaries.
Authorities said investment fraud was becoming a significant concern, with criminals using social media platforms, messaging applications and fraudulent trading websites to attract victims.
The schemes typically involve promises of high returns, encouraging individuals to transfer money into accounts controlled by fraudsters.
Investigators have found that stolen funds are often moved through multiple bank accounts within a short period, making timely intervention important.
Retired Headmaster Loses ₹32 Lakh in Digital Arrest Scam
Among the cases reported in Vijayawada is a digital arrest fraud involving a retired headmaster who was allegedly cheated of ₹32 lakh.
According to police, the fraudsters contacted the victim over the telephone and impersonated police officials.
They accused him of involvement in criminal activities and threatened him with arrest unless he complied with their instructions.
Under pressure, the retired headmaster transferred ₹32 lakh to a bank account in Ballari.
He subsequently lodged a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and approached Bhavanipuram police.
The case is among several incidents in which fraudsters allegedly used fabricated criminal allegations and impersonation to pressure victims into transferring money.
Police said elderly residents were particularly vulnerable to such tactics.
CBI Transfer Planned in ₹10.25 Crore Fraud Investigation
Police are also examining the wider implications of a ₹10.25 crore digital arrest fraud involving a retired engineer from Vijayawada.
The victim was allegedly threatened with accusations that his bank transactions were connected to hawala operations and funds transferred to terrorists.
He lodged a complaint with Cybercrime Police on September 29.
Police recently arrested five suspects in Delhi in connection with the case.
Considering the scale of the alleged fraud and its interstate connections, Vijayawada Police Commissioner S V Rajasekhara Babu has decided to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The report does not establish that the CBI has formally taken over the case.
Meanwhile, local cybercrime teams are continuing efforts to identify accounts used by fraudsters and prevent further withdrawals.
Rajasekhara Babu urged residents to verify claims made by callers posing as law enforcement officers or financial advisers before transferring money.
He also stressed that immediate reporting of suspected cyber fraud was essential to helping authorities block suspicious transactions and improve the chances of recovering stolen funds.
The police response comes amid increasing concern over fraudulent investment offers and impersonation scams affecting residents across NTR district.
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.
