A 20-year-old resident of Yakutpura, Hyderabad, lost ₹1,02,093 after falling prey to a Telegram-based impersonation and extortion fraud in which a scammer posed as a woman, offering paid sexual services.
The victim was drawn into a conversation after receiving messages from an account that displayed stolen photos and fake feedback designed to appear credible, said an officer from the Hyderabad cyber crimes wing.
The accused, whose identity is yet to be established, convinced him to make a series of payments on the pretext of advance booking, service security and room reservation, insisting that every transaction was mandatory and refundable. Influenced by these claims, the victim transferred ₹1,02,093 through UPI and bank transfers to multiple accounts provided during the chats. “He was then told to arrive at a hotel in Abids, where nobody showed up. The fraudster later demanded another ₹10,000 and issued threats, prompting the victim to realise he had been caught in an extortion racket. He approached the Cyber Crime Police and lodged a complaint,” said the officer.
Investigators noted that such scams typically rely on stolen images, fabricated testimonials and manipulated conversations to build trust. Fraudsters repeatedly demand payments citing booking fees, security deposits or charges attributed to fictitious managers, even though no legitimate service seeks advance transfers to personal accounts. Officials warned that scammers often escalate to threats once victims hesitate or refuse further payments.
The officer stressed that individuals facing threats, blackmail or financial loss should immediately report the matter to 1930 or www.cybercrime.gov.in. For urgent assistance, people may call or WhatsApp 8712665171. Cybercrime officials encouraged citizens to follow their verified social media channels for regular awareness updates.
Published – December 01, 2025 07:08 pm IST
