In the hustle and bustle of the peak election season in Telangana, citizens faced a staggering loss of ₹127.88 crore due to cybercrime in April 2024. This alarming figure was a result of 8,668 reported cases of cybercrime across the state, painting a grim picture of the digital landscape in the region.

Amongst the various districts in Telangana, Cyberabad emerged as the epicenter of cybercrime with 1,829 reported cases resulting in a loss of ₹44.71 crore. This was closely followed by Hyderabad City, which reported 1,503 cases leading to a loss of ₹38.25 crore. Rachakonda district secured the third spot on the list, with 1,085 cases contributing to a loss of ₹18.96 crore. Additionally, Sangareddy and Warangal reported 233 and 228 cases respectively, with a combined loss of ₹4.14 crore.

Data shared by officials from the Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TSCSB) revealed that while cybercriminals managed to defraud citizens of a significant amount, efforts were made to hold ₹17.70 crore and refund ₹36.84 crore back to the victims. Law enforcement agencies cracked down on cybercriminals with the arrest of 48 individuals in April, with 15 apprehended within Telangana and 33 from various parts of the country.

As the new financial year, FY25, kicked off, the month of April witnessed a concerning rise in business and investment frauds. Trading and part-time job scams were among the top five modus operandi employed by cybercriminals during this period. Identity theft through KYC updates, fake customer care, credit card limit enhancement, and redeeming reward points were identified as common tactics used to target unsuspecting victims.

Courier or parcel frauds continued to plague citizens for the fourth consecutive time, indicating a persistent threat in this area. Advertisement frauds on social media platforms and loan scams also featured prominently in the cybercrime landscape of the month.

Interestingly, the data showed a gender disparity in the victims of cybercrime, with a majority of cases (7,062) involving male victims compared to 1,606 female victims. Moreover, educational qualifications seemed to play a role in the susceptibility of individuals to cyber scams. Graduates accounted for the highest percentage of victims at 57%, followed by undergraduates (17%), postgraduates (12%), and individuals with senior secondary certificate level education (9%).

Professionals, particularly private employees, were the most targeted group by cybercriminals, making up 48% of the victims. Software professionals, businessmen, startup owners, self-employed individuals, students, and farmers also found themselves victimized by various cyber scams during the month.

The rising trend of cybercrime in Telangana underscores the importance of cybersecurity awareness and vigilance among citizens. Law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity officials continue to work towards combating these digital threats and safeguarding the interests of the public in an increasingly digitized society.

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