735 Doctors In Telangana Targeted In Massive Cyber Fraud Network, Lose ₹30 Crore

As many as 735 doctors in Telangana have fallen victim to cyber frauds since September 2024, collectively losing nearly ₹29.88 crore , a senior police official said on Tuesday, highlighting a sharp rise in targeted digital financial crimes against healthcare professionals.

According to data shared at a cyber awareness interaction held in Hyderabad, the most significant losses were recorded in business and investment-related frauds , which alone accounted for ₹22.39 crore from 127 victims . The findings underline how cybercriminals are increasingly focusing on high-income professional groups using sophisticated deception techniques.

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau said that fraudsters are exploiting both financial trust and digital dependence , often approaching victims through calls, messaging platforms, fake investment apps, and impersonated advisory networks. Doctors, due to their busy schedules and financial profile, are seen as prime targets for high-value scams .

Apart from investment frauds, victims were also caught in multiple other cybercrime categories, including digital arrest scams, identity theft, impersonation, job frauds, advertisement frauds, sextortion cases, loan and insurance frauds, UPI-related cheating, matrimonial scams, and cryptocurrency-based frauds .

Officials noted that modern cybercrime has evolved from technical hacking to psychological manipulation and social engineering , where victims are pressured into making quick financial decisions under fear, urgency, or the promise of high returns.

Shikha Goel, addressing a high-level interaction with the medical fraternity, stressed that education or professional status does not provide immunity against cyber frauds . She urged healthcare professionals to remain vigilant, verify all financial communications, and report suspicious activity without delay.

The cyber bureau emphasised that early reporting is crucial for freezing fraudulent transactions and improving recovery chances , while also strengthening coordination between law enforcement and the medical community.

The interaction aimed to enhance cyber awareness, preventive strategies, and digital safety practices among doctors, as authorities warned that cybercriminals are continuously upgrading their tactics.

Officials reiterated that in today’s digital environment, awareness and caution remain the strongest defence against increasingly organised and targeted financial cybercrimes.