Cyber fraudsters dupe Hyderabad firm of Rs 40 lakh

Cyber fraudsters allegedly impersonated a company’s Managing Director and duped a Hyderabad-based firm of Rs 40.08 lakh. The scam involved a malicious APK file that enabled access to the MD’s phone, leading to fraudulent fund transfers.

Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters duped a private firm to the tune of Rs 40.08 lakh by allegedly impersonating its Managing Director in Begumpet.

According to the police, KS Ramachandra Rao, Finance Manager at O&S Aluminum Fabrication Private Limited, received a message on April 28 from a number saved under the name of Managing Director G Anand, requesting an urgent fund transfer. Believing it to be genuine, he transferred Rs 36.80 lakh initially and another Rs 3.28 lakh shortly after.

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The fraud came to light when Ramachandra Rao later contacted the MD, who denied sending any such messages.

Based on the complaint, Begumpet police booked a case, and during investigation, it was found that cybercriminals had earlier installed a malicious APK file titled “RTO Traffic e-Challan” on the MD’s phone without his knowledge, enabling them to access his personal data and execute the fraud.

Officials suspect the MD had unknowingly clicked on the APK file link and his details were transferred to the cyber crooks.