3 weeks ago
Cyber Crooks Siphon ₹102 Crore From Senior Citizens in Hyderabad
Bad people are using phones and the internet to trick older people in Hyderabad, India, and take their money.
A police chief named Mr. Sajjanar told everyone about this on Sunday, when the police held a special meeting to teach people how to stay safe.
The cheats stole an incredibly large amount of money — over 100 crore rupees — from people who are more than 60 years old.
They pretend to be real companies, promise big profits, or even scare grandparents by saying they are 'under arrest' in fake video calls.
They also trick people into sharing secret phone codes or sending money for fake investments.
Crooks choose older people because they are often alone and may not know much about new technology.
The good news is that police are catching them faster now, and there are fewer cases than last year.
Bank workers are also helping by stopping strange money transfers.
But police say families should keep an eye on their grandparents and warn them about these tricks, because many people only find out after the money is gone.
Hyderabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said cyber crooks siphoned ₹102.02 crore from senior citizens over the past 19 months.
Police records from January 2025 to July 31, 2026 show 403 cybercrime cases involving victims above 60 years of age.
Elderly citizens mainly fell prey to trading frauds, fake 'digital arrest' scams, OTP frauds and investment scams.
In 69 cases of fake 'digital arrest', victims lost over ₹31.93 crore, while OTP frauds cost ₹4.94 crore.
Hyderabad police said awareness drives, swift action and alert bankers cut the monthly average of such cases from 24 in 2025 to 17 this year, and flagged a lack of family supervision as a major factor.
- Who
- Hyderabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar announced the findings; the victims were senior citizens above 60 years of age.
- What
- Cybercriminals siphoned ₹102.02 crore from senior citizens through trading frauds, digital arrest scams, OTP frauds and investment scams.
- Where
- Hyderabad, India.
- When
- Between January 2025 and July 31, 2026 (19 months); announced during an awareness drive on Sunday.
- Why
- Crooks exploited senior citizens' vulnerability, isolation and lack of technical familiarity; police also cited a lack of family supervision as a major factor.
Key facts
- Total amount siphoned
- ₹102.02 crore
- Total cases
- 403 (victims above 60, Jan 2025 – July 31, 2026)
- Worst scam
- Fake 'digital arrest' — ₹31.93 crore lost in 69 cases
- OTP fraud losses
- ₹4.94 crore
- Investment fraud losses
- ₹2.79 crore in 22 cases
- 2025 losses
- 285 cases, ₹71.81 crore (monthly average 24)
- 2026 losses (so far)
- 118 cases, ₹30.20 crore (monthly average 17)
- Data source
- Hyderabad cybercrime police station
Quotes
Mannem Nageswara Rao
CBI former director
“If these allegations are true, they are extraordinarily serious and warrant an immediate and independent inquiry into the conduct of the officers concerned, he said.”
deccanchronicle.com











