Hyderabad cybercrime police arrest 49 in July, recover Rs 98.89 lakh

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have intensified their crackdown on digital fraud, arresting 49 suspects in July alone. During the month-long operation, the authorities also recovered a total of Rs 98.89 lakh, which has been returned to the victims of various online scams.

According to officials, the arrested individuals were involved in a range of cybercrimes, including phishing, vishing, UPI fraud, and fake investment schemes. The police have also managed to freeze or block more than 1,000 bank accounts linked to fraudulent activities, preventing further diversion of funds.

Recoveries and refunds

The recovered amount of Rs 98.89 lakh marks a significant step in the city’s fight against cyber fraud. The police have been working closely with banks and payment gateways to trace and claw back money that was siphoned off by fraudsters.

In many cases, the funds were transferred across multiple accounts within minutes of the fraud being committed. The cybercrime team's swift action has allowed them to freeze these accounts before the money could be withdrawn, officials said.

Modus operandi of the accused

Investigations so far have revealed that the suspects often posed as customer care executives, bank officials, or even police officers to trick victims into sharing OTPs and bank details. A number of cases also involved fraudulent loan apps and fake online shopping portals.

The police have noted that in several instances, the accused were part of larger syndicates operating from different states. Some of the arrested individuals were handling the technical backend, while others managed the call centres or arranged for mule bank accounts.

Public awareness and reporting

In the wake of these arrests, the Hyderabad police have renewed their appeal to citizens to stay alert against unsolicited calls and messages asking for personal financial information. They have reiterated that banks and government agencies never ask for OTPs or passwords over the phone.

Residents who suspect they have been targeted by cyber fraud are urged to call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or report the incident on the official cybercrime portal. Quick reporting has proven to be critical in helping authorities freeze fraudulent accounts and recover money.

What happens next

The police are now pursuing leads to identify the masterminds behind these networks, with several more arrests expected in the coming weeks. They are also advising the public to verify the authenticity of any financial request before acting, as cyber fraudsters continue to evolve their tactics.