Stay Alert To Hybrid Cyber Fraud Gangs, V.C. Sajjanar Warns

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has urged people to remain vigilant against a new form of fraud in which criminals combine mobile phone theft with cybercrime to gain access to victims’ bank accounts and siphon off their money.

Sajjanar said investigations had revealed that such hybrid cyber fraud gangs were particularly targeting senior citizens and people with limited knowledge of technology. The gangs operate by first stealing mobile phones in crowded places such as bus stands and packed buses.

According to the police, suspects closely watch passengers as they unlock their phones, memorising their PINs or screen patterns. After stealing a device, they may contact the victim while posing as bus conductors or claiming that they can help return the phone. In some cases, they use pretexts such as “owner verification” to trick victims into revealing their screen passwords.

Once they gain access to an unlocked phone, the criminals search applications such as the gallery and notes for sensitive information. Debit card details, Aadhaar and PAN information stored on the device can then be used to facilitate further financial fraud.

The stolen SIM card is another crucial part of the operation. Criminals can intercept OTPs and use them to reset UPI and net-banking credentials. The stolen funds are subsequently transferred to online gaming platforms and mule bank accounts, before being converted into cash.

Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the case and recovered five mobile phones.

Sajjanar advised people to immediately block their SIM card, banking services and UPI access if their phone is lost or stolen. They should also use the CEIR portal to block the device and prevent its misuse.

Anyone who becomes a victim of cyber fraud should promptly report the incident by calling 1930 or filing a complaint through cybercrime.gov.in. Sajjanar also stressed the importance of educating elderly family members about such evolving fraud techniques.