Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar warns that the city faces a daily cybercrime loss of around Rs 1 crore, urging residents to stay alert to digital scams targeting vulnerable groups and to report swiftly to improve recovery chances.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said on Wednesday that city residents are losing about Rs 400 crore a year to cybercrime, or roughly Rs 1 crore a day, far more than the Rs 30 crore caused annually by thefts and robberies. Speaking at a cyber-awareness event in Khairatabad organised by the city’s cyber crime department, he warned that fraudsters are increasingly targeting older people through digital arrest scams, pension-related fraud and fake online banking messages.
Sajjanar said victims should never believe callers claiming to be from the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate, the Reserve Bank of India or the police, and should end such calls immediately. He also cautioned against investment pitches and trading links circulated on WhatsApp or Telegram, saying share trading should be done only through SEBI-registered brokers and authorised demat accounts. He urged people not to share bank details, PINs or one-time passwords with anyone, including relatives.
The commissioner’s warning echoes similar advice he has given in recent weeks, when he said cyber fraud was draining nearly Rs 1 crore a day from Hyderabad residents and called the first hour after a scam the “golden hour” for recovery efforts. At that time, he said rapid reporting to the 1930 helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal could improve the chances of freezing stolen money before it disappears through mule accounts and ghost SIM cards, which he described as key tools in organised cybercrime networks.
Former director general of police M. Ratan said he had personally told his bank not to allow withdrawals or cheque clearances above Rs 5,000 without his approval, while former director general of police P. Malakondayya said prevention remains the only effective defence because money lost in cybercrime is rarely recovered in full. Additional Commissioner of Police M. Srinivas said the crime branch was continuing awareness drives as criminals keep changing tactics, and advised residents to stay alert to unknown calls, suspicious links and requests for personal information.
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