Sangareddy | In yet another incident highlighting the rising menace of cybercrime, the husband of Congress municipal councillor Umarani fell victim to an online fraud. In the Sadasivapet municipal area, Ulligaddala Nagaraju lost nearly ₹7.79 lakh from his bank account after clicking a fraudulent link sent by cyber fraudsters. Following the incident, he filed a complaint at the local police station, and an investigation has been initiated.
According to information, the incident occurred on Saturday night. Nagaraju reportedly received a message from an unknown number that carried a link claiming to offer some benefit or urgent information. Preliminary investigation suggests that the link was part of a phishing attempt aimed at stealing the victim’s banking credentials.
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It is alleged that after clicking the link, a suspicious page opened on Nagaraju’s mobile phone, and money started getting transferred from his account in multiple stages. By the time he suspected fraud, the cybercriminals had already withdrawn a substantial amount. He immediately contacted the bank and the cyber helpline, but the loss could not be prevented.
Police officials said that a technical investigation is underway. Efforts are being made to trace the mobile number and the link through which contact was established. Authorities are also trying to determine the destination accounts where the money was transferred and whether the crime is linked to an organized cyber fraud gang.
Cybersecurity experts stated that criminals in such cases often use social engineering techniques. They try to gain the victim’s trust by posing as representatives of government or banking institutions and then steal personal and financial data through fake links. Experts warned that clicking on unknown links can be risky, especially when the authenticity of the message is not verified.
The incident has also caused concern among local residents. With the growing use of digital payments and online services, cybercriminals are adopting new methods to target individuals. Police have urged the public not to respond immediately to suspicious messages, calls, or links and to avoid opening links from unknown sources.
Initial findings also suggest that the fraudsters may have contacted Nagaraju using a fake identity. Police are now trying to reach the accused using call detail records, bank transaction data, and mobile network information.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity specialists emphasized that awareness is the most effective protection against digital fraud. Citizens are advised to strengthen their bank account security settings, use two-factor authentication, and verify any suspicious financial offers before trusting them.
Following the incident, discussions on cyber safety have intensified in the area. Police assured that the matter is under thorough investigation and efforts are being made to identify and arrest the culprits soon.
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.
