Hyderabad-based businessman narrowly escapes trap of cyber fraudsters

A Hyderabad-based businessman escaped an extortion attempt after cyber fraudsters impersonated a senior Telangana official on WhatsApp and claimed his daughter was arrested in Canada. He verified with her and filed a complaint with the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau

Hyderabad: A  city-based businessman narrowly escaped being duped by cyber fraudsters, who tried to extort money from him by using photographs of Ravi Gupta, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department.

The 61-year-old man, who operates a private security services agency, recently received a call on WhatsApp with Ravi Gupta’s display picture. The caller suspected to be a woman claimed to be calling from the cybercrime branch in Canada. She said the complainant’s daughter was arrested in a drug case and was subjected to police treatment.

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When the businessman asked the fraudster to let him speak to his daughter, she denied and continued to threaten him for the ransom.

However, when he called his daughter who lives in Canada, she told him that she was in her house safe and sound.

Realising that it was a trap for extortion, the man approached the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and lodged a complaint. Based on the complaint, a case was booked and investigated.