Kerala Lottery frauds target Hyderabad residents

The Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) has reported an increase in lottery fraud cases

Hyderabad: Cyber fraudsters are targeting Hyderabad residents with Kerala lottery-related frauds exploiting social media platforms and fraudulent mobile applications to deceive their victims.

In a recent incident, a 67-year-old self-employed man from the city was duped of over Rs.2.17 lakh. The victim received a message on Instagram claiming he had won Rs.5 lakh in a ‘Kerala Lucky Draw’ lottery. Believing the claim, he transferred funds, as instructed by the fraudsters, to various bank accounts under the pretext of processing fees.

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However, after the payments were received, the fraudsters became unresponsive, prompting the victim to file a complaint with the Hyderabad Cybercrime police.

The Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) has reported an increase in lottery fraud cases. In January 2024 alone, 15 such cases were registered, with victims collectively losing crores of rupees. Scammers often lure individuals with promises of substantial prize wins and subsequently trap them into making payments for processing fees, taxes, or other charges.

Investigations have uncovered approximately 60 fraudulent mobile applications impersonating the Kerala State Lotteries. These apps, some available on major platforms like the Google Play Store, falsely claim to offer online lottery services. Additionally, 25 fake Facebook profiles and 20 deceptive websites have been identified, all promoting non-existent online lottery schemes.

With the rapid increase in such cases, the Kerala government had earlier taken steps to address these fraudulent activities. It announced measures to ensure fair distribution of legitimate lottery tickets and to crack down on unauthorized sales. The state is implementing a ‘Common Pool System’ to streamline ticket distribution and has committed to taking strict action against fraudulent practices.

In the wake of the incident, Cybercrime Police have issued a fresh advisory warning citizens to be on high alert against fake Kerala lottery schemes, particularly those advertised via Facebook and WhatsApp. The police urged people to be wary of the designs of the fraudsters using lottery wins as a pretext to cheat the victims, and steer clear of them.

Public advisory:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited messages claiming lottery winnings.

• Do not transfer money or share personal information in response to such claims.

• Verify any lottery-related information through official government channels.

• Report suspicious activities to the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in.

• As these scams become increasingly sophisticated, public awareness and caution are crucial in preventing further victimization.

• In urgent cases, victims can also contact 8712665171 via call or WhatsApp.