8 months ago
Victims Lose Millions in Online Scams
Six people from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Calcutta lost a lot of money in online scams.
Some were tricked by fake trading platforms that promised big profits, while others were duped by fraudsters posing as cruise line customer care.
The scammers contacted them through WhatsApp, social media, and online ads.
The victims invested money or booked cruises, saw fake profits or promises of refunds, but couldn't get their money back.
They realized it was a scam and reported it to the police.
The police are now investigating these cases.
One victim from Hyderabad lost Rs 2.42 lakh in a cruise booking scam.
The police advise people to be careful when booking cruises or investing online.
Six victims lost a total of Rs 8.22 crore in online trading, investment, and cruise booking scams.
Scammers contacted victims via WhatsApp, social media, and online ads.
Victims were promised high returns, guaranteed profits, and legitimate cruise bookings.
Fake trading platforms and cruise booking websites showed fake profits or refunds but blocked withdrawals or canceled bookings without valid reasons.
Cases were registered with various police stations and cybercrime bureaus between October 2025 and January 2026.
- Who
- Six victims from Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Calcutta
- What
- Online trading, investment, and cruise booking scams
- Where
- Hyderabad, Cyberabad (Telangana), and Calcutta (West Bengal)
- When
- Between October 2025 and January 2026
- Why
- Victims were lured by promises of high returns, guaranteed profits, and legitimate cruise bookings
Scammers
Victims
Communication Methods
Scammers
Scammers used WhatsApp, social media, and online ads to lure victims.
Victims
Victims were contacted through these platforms and believed the promises.
Investment Promises
Scammers
Scammers promised high returns and guaranteed profits to entice victims.
Victims
Victims were attracted by the promise of high returns and invested their money.
Platforms Used
Scammers
Scammers used fake trading platforms and cruise booking websites to deceive victims.
Victims
Victims used these platforms, believing them to be legitimate.
Key facts
- Total Loss
- Rs 8.22 crore
- Victims
- 6
- Investigation Agencies
- Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, Cyberabad Cyber Crime Police Station, Anandapur Police Station, Hastings Police Station
- Scam Duration
- October 2025 to January 2026
- Complaint Dates
- January 1-2, 2026 (Hyderabad), Late November 2025 (Calcutta), Last week of December 2025 (Calcutta), January 5, 2026 (Hyderabad)
- Initial Contact Methods
- WhatsApp, social media, online advertisements
- Fake Platforms
- Online trading platforms, cruise booking websites
Timeline
Hyderabad police unveils cyber crime fight plan: train all, open new stations.
New Cyber Cells operational by May 2025, boost response by July.
Scammers exploit social media, mimic Telangana's busted investment scam.
Five victims duped, lose Rs 7.3 crore in online trading scam.
Quotes
Cybercrime official
A representative from the cybercrime department
“The accused repeatedly cited payment failures and promised that all extra amounts would be refunded during checkout.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Hyderabad Man Loses Over Rs 2.42 Lakh In Cruise Booking Scam
Promised Dream Cruise Trip, Hyderabad Man Loses Rs 2 Lakh To Scammers
Cruise Booking Scam: Cyber Crooks Dupe Man of Rs 2.42 Lakh
Hyderabad: Man loses over Rs 2.42 lakh in cruise booking scam
Hyderabad Man Duped of ₹2.42 Lakh in Fake Online Cruise Booking Scam
3 Duped of Rs 7.3 Crore in Online Trading Scam
Man Held For Online Trading Scam With Honey Trap
Duo lose Rs 50 lakh in investments through social media app fraud, investigation on - Telegraph India
Retd. Govt Staffer Falls Prey to Fake Stocks, Loses Rs 12.36 Lakh
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