Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Cyber Fraudsters Use Personal Data to Target Welfare Applicants
Scammers are using personal details to make fake government-benefit offers seem real.
They are contacting pregnant women, new mothers and newly married couples.
Some people were contacted after registering with an Anganwadi centre or hospital.
The scammers send links to websites that look like government websites.
They ask people to enter information or share a one-time code called an OTP.
Some victims then lost money from their bank accounts.
Police are investigating how the scammers got the personal information.
Officials say not to click links from unknown numbers or share OTPs.
People who lose money should call 1930 and contact their bank right away.
Cybercrime officials say fraudsters are targeting pregnant women, nursing mothers and newly married couples with tailored messages about government benefits.
Victims were contacted after registering at Anganwadi centres or hospitals, and scammers directed them to fake websites resembling government portals.
A pregnant woman in Hyderabad lost ₹6,000 after sharing an OTP; another in Mahabubnagar lost ₹50,000 intended for hospital expenses.
A newly married woman in Warangal district lost ₹1.20 lakh after being targeted with a fake Tulam Gold Scheme offer.
Investigators are examining possible data leaks and urge people not to click unknown links or share OTPs; suspected fraud should be reported to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
- Who
- Cyber fraudsters are targeting pregnant women, nursing mothers and newly married couples; cybercrime officials are investigating.
- What
- Scammers use personal information and fake government-scheme links to trick people into sharing OTPs and losing money.
- When
- The cases were reported in recent days; officials discussed the pattern on Thursday.
- Where
- Hyderabad, Mahabubnagar district and Warangal district, Telangana.
- Why
- The scammers use victims’ circumstances and personal data to make fraudulent welfare-scheme offers appear credible.
- Reported Hyderabad loss
- A pregnant woman lost ₹6,000 after sharing an OTP.
- Reported Mahabubnagar loss
- A pregnant woman lost ₹50,000 saved for hospital expenses.
- Reported Warangal loss
- A newly married woman lost ₹1.20 lakh after a fake Tulam Gold Scheme offer.
- Common approach
- Scammers cite pregnancy, childbirth or marriage, then direct victims to fraudulent scheme-registration links.
- Possible data sources under investigation
- Anganwadi centres, hospitals, diagnostic centres, the ICDS app, marriage registration offices and MeeSeva Kendras.
- How to report suspected fraud
- Call 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in, and contact the bank promptly.
- Official warning
- Officials say not to click unknown links or share personal, financial details or OTPs.