Copyright thehindu
Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas was observed across Telangana on Thursday (November 6, 2025) with a focused campaign highlighting the rising menace of business investment frauds, particularly fake stock trading and IPO scams. Officials said such crimes now make up about 26% of total cybercrime complaints in the State and account for nearly 66% of all financial losses reported. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) said fraudsters were increasingly using social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, posing as market experts to lure citizens with stock tips, IPO insights and exclusive investment opportunities. Data shared by the bureau revealed that the majority of victims belong to the 22-38 age group, with private employees making up 33%, students 19% and homemakers 12%. Retired employees also remain a vulnerable group. Male victims accounted for 76% of total cases, while females constituted 24%. The TGCSB said scammers typically add individuals to groups titled “investment learning” or “premium trading signals”, use fake dashboards and share fabricated profit screenshots to appear genuine. Victims are enticed to invest and later pressured to make repeated payments under the guise of processing fees or top-ups. Once withdrawal attempts are made, fraudsters either cut contact or demand additional payments. As part of the day’s activities, police conducted awareness sessions across the State — in public parks during morning walks, schools and colleges at midday, and community centres and residential areas in the evening. Officers from TGCSB and local police led 117 sessions for morning walkers and 387 for students, homemakers, senior citizens and employees, with further sessions scheduled through the day. During these sessions, citizens were educated on identifying fraudulent dashboards, manipulative tactics, and common warning signs such as unsolicited investment invitations, promises of high returns in short periods, requests to install third-party apps, and emotional pressure to invest quickly. The TGCSB urged victims of such scams to immediately dial 1930, report incidents at www.cybercrime.gov.in, preserve chat histories and transaction details, and contact their banks to freeze transactions.
