Cyberabad Police Issue Guidelines to Prevent Financial Fraud

In a concerning development, Cyberabad Police have raised alarms over the growing menace of fake social media profiles being used to defraud unsuspecting citizens. This escalating trend poses significant risks to personal privacy, digital security, and financial well-being across the region.

Law enforcement officials report that cybercriminals are increasingly creating sophisticated fake accounts on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp. These fraudsters are misappropriating the identities, photographs, and official logos of individuals, celebrities, institutions, and government departments to lend credibility to their schemes.

“These criminals exploit personal information readily available online to create convincing profiles,” explained a senior cybercrime investigator familiar with recent cases. “They then approach potential victims with fabricated emergencies, business propositions, low-interest loan offers, employment opportunities, or investment schemes—all designed to extract money from unsuspecting individuals.”

The problem has become so widespread that Cyberabad Police have issued a comprehensive advisory outlining specific precautions residents should take. The advisory emphasizes the importance of profile verification before accepting connection requests, particularly from accounts that appear to belong to known contacts.

Security experts note that these scams often leverage social engineering tactics to create a false sense of urgency. “When someone claiming to be a friend or relative requests money for an emergency, take a moment to verify directly through a phone call to their known number,” advised a digital security specialist with the cybercrime unit.

The advisory specifically warns against sharing sensitive information such as OTPs (One-Time Passwords), UPI details, banking credentials, or identity documents like Aadhaar or PAN cards. Officials stress that legitimate financial institutions and government departments never solicit such information through social media platforms or unsolicited phone calls.

“We’re seeing a pattern where fraudsters offer goods or services at suspiciously low prices,” noted a Cyberabad Police spokesperson. “This appeals to the natural human tendency toward favorable deals, but it’s precisely this emotional response that criminals exploit.”

Digital security experts recommend implementing several protective measures, including using strong, unique passwords for each social media account and enabling two-factor authentication wherever available. Users are also advised to adjust privacy settings to restrict public access to personal information and lock down profile photos where platforms allow.

The proliferation of these scams reflects broader trends in cybercrime, which has evolved dramatically as digital platforms have become central to daily life. According to recent cybersecurity reports, social media-based fraud has increased by approximately 43% in the past year alone, with financial losses running into hundreds of crores nationwide.

Authorities emphasize the critical importance of prompt reporting when encountering suspicious activities. Victims of cyber fraud should immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or file an online complaint through the official portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in. Alternatively, reports can be lodged at the nearest police station.

“The first hour after a cybercrime occurs—what we call the ‘golden hour’—is crucial,” explained the Cyberabad Police spokesperson. “Reporting during this window significantly increases the chances of preventing financial loss or recovering stolen funds before they’re moved through multiple accounts or converted to cryptocurrency.”

As these sophisticated scams continue to evolve, law enforcement agencies are working to enhance public awareness while simultaneously developing more robust detection and enforcement mechanisms to combat this growing digital threat.