Cybercriminals Target Hyderabad Woman with Fake Lehenga Offer

Cybercriminals continue to exploit the vulnerabilities of unsuspecting individuals, with new tactics emerging daily. A recent case in Hyderabad highlights the growing threat of online fraud, where a woman was deceived into losing a significant sum while attempting to purchase a lehenga on Instagram.

The incident occurred on January 26, when Srivalli, a resident of Jubilee Hills, came across an advertisement for a lehenga on Instagram. The page, named "Pooja Collections," offered what seemed like an enticing deal, prompting Srivalli to make a payment of Rs 1,000. However, after two days of waiting, the lehenga did not arrive, and she attempted to contact the seller using the phone number provided on the page.

It was during this follow-up that the fraudsters, posing as legitimate sellers, accessed her bank account and withdrew Rs 40,000 under the guise of verifying payment details. Realizing she had been scammed, Srivalli immediately filed a complaint with the police, who have since launched an investigation into the matter.

The Telangana police have issued a warning to the public, urging caution when dealing with online offers. They advise individuals to avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially those promising substantial discounts. “Your greed is a weapon for cybercriminals,” a police spokesperson said, emphasizing that deals that appear too good to be true are often scams. They also cautioned against scanning QR codes from unknown sources, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram and Telegram.

This incident is part of a larger trend of cybercrime, where fraudsters are exploiting various occasions to target victims. In recent days, similar scams have been reported, with criminals using government welfare schemes as a lure. In Bhadradri Kothagudem district, for example, fraudulent messages were sent to individuals ineligible for schemes like Indiramma Manzanu and Rythu Bharosa, claiming that clicking a link would make them eligible for benefits.

Fortunately, the recipients of these messages were suspicious and contacted local public representatives, who confirmed that the messages were part of a cybercrime scheme. Authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant and refrain from engaging with such messages or links.