Hyderabad. Telangana Police has facilitated the return of ₹139.68 crore to victims of cyber fraud so far in 2026, providing financial relief to 24,189 people. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau director shared the figures on Sunday.
During the recently held National Lok Adalat in Hyderabad, the Cyber Security Bureau coordinated with the Telangana State Legal Services Authority, banks, digital payment service providers, police commissionerates and district police units to return ₹42.28 crore to 3,896 victims.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
Cyberabad recorded the highest recovery through the Lok Adalat, with ₹14.19 crore returned to 942 victims. The Cyber Security Bureau stood second, returning ₹10.55 crore to 41 victims. In Malkajgiri, ₹5.27 crore was returned to 1,024 victims, while Hyderabad Police recovered ₹5.02 crore for 530 victims. Suryapet Police returned ₹76 lakh to 34 victims.
Apart from the Lok Adalat, police are also using the central government’s Money Restoration Module to facilitate the return of defrauded funds. The Ministry of Home Affairs launched the mechanism in May 2026, and it was implemented in Telangana from June. Under the system, the process of returning cyber fraud money to victims can be taken forward in certain cases without requiring a court order.
As of September 12, ₹27.23 crore had been returned to 9,355 victims in Telangana through the module. Together, the Lok Adalat and Money Restoration Module have provided financial relief to 13,251 victims in the state this year.
The Cyber Security Bureau has urged cyber fraud victims to apply for recovery of their money through the Money Restoration Module. According to the bureau, since its establishment, a total of ₹514.93 crore has been returned to 73,204 victims.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said the most important factor in recovering money lost to cyber fraud is reducing the delay in reporting the crime. Once a fraud is detected, immediate information to banks and relevant agencies increases the possibility of blocking funds still available in suspicious accounts. Faster coordination among banks, police units and digital payment service providers can make the recovery process more effective, he said.
Police officials said prompt action on complaints, coordination with banks, judicial cooperation and effective mechanisms for freezing and restoring funds are playing a crucial role in speeding up recoveries. In cyber fraud cases, timely reporting increases the possibility of freezing money transferred to suspicious accounts and returning it to the victim.
The Future Crime Research Foundation has also highlighted the importance of rapid reporting, financial transaction monitoring and coordination among stakeholders in tackling digital fraud. Since fraud proceeds can quickly move through multiple bank accounts, stopping transactions at the earliest stage can significantly improve the possibility of recovery.
The Cyber Security Bureau has advised people not to share OTPs, PINs, passwords or banking details with unknown individuals. Customer-care numbers should be verified only through the official website of the concerned institution. People should avoid clicking on suspicious links received through SMS, email, WhatsApp or social media and should not share personal or banking information with unknown persons.
In case of cyber fraud, victims have been advised to immediately report the incident on cybercrime helpline 1930 or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Reporting the fraud immediately after the transaction can increase the chances of freezing the funds in the concerned bank accounts and recovering the money.
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.
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