The incident occurred on 13 March 2025, when an accounts officer at a Hyderabad-based company received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has successfully averted a significant cyber fraud attempt, recovering ₹1.95 crore before the funds could be siphoned off by fraudsters. The case underlines the increasing sophistication of cyber scams targeting businesses and highlights the need for robust verification processes.
The incident occurred on 13 March 2025, when an accounts officer at a Hyderabad-based company received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. The message appeared to come from the company’s chairman and managing director (CMD), as it featured the CMD’s profile picture. Posing as the executive, the fraudster requested an advance payment of ₹1.95 crore for a purported new project.
Without verifying the authenticity of the message, the accounts officer proceeded to transfer the amount. The deception came to light when the actual CMD received a notification from the bank regarding the substantial transfer. On enquiring with the accounts officer, it was revealed that the payment had been made solely on the basis of the WhatsApp message, without any direct confirmation.
Realising the company had fallen victim to a fraud, the matter was immediately reported via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Acting swiftly, TGCSB officials froze the transferred funds before they could be withdrawn, successfully safeguarding the company from financial loss.
Officials have since urged businesses to be vigilant against such scams and to enforce stringent verification protocols, particularly for high-value transactions. They emphasised the importance of not relying solely on informal communication channels like WhatsApp when handling financial approvals.
Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind the fraud attempt. The TGCSB continues to advise companies to regularly sensitise employees about the risks of cybercrime and to ensure that all financial communications are verified through secure and authorised channels.