Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has warned residents against possible cyber frauds being carried out in the name of house allotments under the government’s Indiramma Towers scheme. The alert follows the start of the ₹10,000 Earnest Money Deposit payment process for beneficiaries, which police fear may be exploited through fake calls, unfamiliar links and false promises of guaranteed allotment.
No Role for Brokers or Middlemen
Sajjanar said the selection process under the housing scheme is transparent and does not involve brokers or middlemen. He cautioned applicants against trusting anyone who claims that payment of money can ensure allotment of a house.
He also warned against messages designed to create panic, including claims that a payment must be made immediately to prevent cancellation of an allotment. Police said such urgency is commonly used by fraudsters to pressure people into transferring money without verification.
The Commissioner clarified that the ₹10,000 EMD paid by applicants will remain secure. In cases where a house is not allotted, the amount will be refunded by the government directly to the applicant’s original bank account.
Fake Links and APK Files Pose Risk
The advisory cautioned beneficiaries against opening unknown links received through WhatsApp or text messages and against installing APK files from unverified sources. Such actions could expose mobile phones to hacking and allow criminals to access banking information.
Police also warned that fraudsters may create fake websites resembling official government portals to mislead applicants. In some cases, victims may be persuaded to install screen-sharing applications such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer, allowing criminals to view sensitive information and misuse banking credentials.
Applicants were reminded that a UPI PIN is required only while making a payment and is never needed to receive a refund. The public was also advised not to share Aadhaar card photographs, bank details or one-time passwords with unknown persons.
Helplines Issued for Applicants
The government has set up the helpline number 040-24603572 for queries related to the Indiramma scheme. Beneficiaries have been advised to use official channels to verify information before making any payment or sharing personal details.
People who fall victim to cyber fraud have been urged to immediately contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or register a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Prompt reporting, police said, may help authorities freeze fraudulent transactions and prevent further financial loss.
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.
