Cyber criminals exploiting fear and greed, warns Hyderabad Commissioner

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar cautioned citizens against rising cybercrime, warning that fraudsters exploit fear, greed and lack of awareness through impersonation and false urgency.

Hyderabad: City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar on Saturday warned that cyber criminals are increasingly exploiting fear, greed and lack of awareness to cheat people, urging citizens to remain alert and informed.

Addressing the attendees at the ‘Jagrut Hyderabad – Surakshit Hyderabad’ cyber awareness programme at Madhura Nagar, the Commissioner said fraudsters use impersonation, false urgency and psychological pressure, clarifying that no government agency conducts arrests or seeks personal details over phone or video calls.

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He highlighted a rise in digital arrest scams and fraudulent investment schemes, particularly targeting senior citizens.

The senior police officer advised cybercrime victims to immediately disconnect such calls and report them to Dial 100 or the cybercrime helpline 1930.

With the festive season approaching, Sajjanar cautioned against fake offers, unknown links and sharing OTPs or passwords online. Emphasising the importance of the “Golden Hour”, he said reporting cyber fraud within the first hour greatly improves the chances of recovering lost money.