The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has foiled a ‘digital arrest’ fraud attempt and saved a retried school teacher in Nalgonda district from losing ₹18 lakh.
The intervention was carried out by the District Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (D4C) of the TGCSB after fraudsters attempted to coerce the elderly victim into transferring his retirement savings. The victim, P Devender Reddy, a resident of Nalgonda, who retired a year ago, had deposited his retirement benefits in his bank account.
Police said the victim had been under sustained psychological pressure for nearly three days from cyber criminals posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials. The callers falsely claimed that his Aadhaar number had been linked to a criminal case involving the circulation of obscene photos and videos on social media. They threatened him with ‘digital arrest’ and demanded an immediate transfer of ₹18 lakh to close the alleged case.
On December 19, around noon, the victim and his wife went to the State Bank of India’s Prakasham Bazar branch in Nalgonda to transfer the money. Bank officials noticed his anxious behaviour and urgency, which raised suspicion. The branch manager promptly alerted the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the D4C, Nalgonda.
The DSP and the cyber crime team rushed to the bank and temporarily halted the transaction. After conducting a detailed enquiry, the team confirmed that it was a ‘digital arrest’ scam. The victim and his family were counselled and informed that no police or government agency conducts digital arrests or demands money over phone calls.
Owing to the timely intervention and effective coordination between the D4C team and bank officials, the fraudulent transaction was stopped and the entire amount of ₹18 lakh, the victim’s retirement benefits, was successfully saved.
Cyber Crime Police have initiated further technical analysis to trace the fraudsters involved. Investigators are examining digital footprints, call records and associated bank accounts to identify the culprits and prevent similar incidents.
Police have once again urged the public, particularly senior citizens and recently retired individuals, to remain vigilant. They reiterated that no law enforcement or government agency conducts digital arrests or asks for money transfers under any circumstances. Citizens have been advised to immediately report such incidents by calling the national cyber crime helpline 1930 or by lodging a complaint on the cybercrime portal.
Published – December 19, 2025 07:48 pm IST
