Cyber fraud losses touch Rs 5.24 crore in Anakapalli

Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to carry out financial fraud in Anakapalli district, with police reporting total losses of Rs 5.24 crore across 57 cases registered over the past 13 months.

According to officials, fraudsters are posting advertisements promising attractive work-from-home opportunities and quick earnings. Unsuspecting users who respond are persuaded to share personal information and banking details, only to realise later that they have been cheated.

Police have also noted a worrying rise in scams targeting retired employees under the pretext of “digital arrests.” In such cases, criminals impersonate police or other law enforcement officials and use phone and video calls to instil fear, pressuring victims into transferring money.

In one incident last year, a retired railway employee from the Narsipatnam area received a video call from individuals posing as police officers. The victim was allegedly intimidated for nearly a week, during which more than Rs 1 crore was withdrawn from his bank account.

A similar attempt occurred two months ago when a retired tribal teacher from Narsipatnam was threatened with a fake digital arrest. The fraudsters reportedly kept him in a state of fear for three days and attempted to siphon off his retirement savings. The victim initially transferred Rs 20,000. However, bank officials grew suspicious when he later sought to withdraw a large sum. After questioning him, they identified the scam, stopped the transaction, and temporarily froze his account, preventing further losses.

Job seekers have also been targeted. A young engineering graduate from Ramaraopeta in Narsipatnam lost Rs 4 lakh in an Instagram-based “task” scam. In another case, a woman from Neelampeta was similarly defrauded while searching for employment online.

Police said timely complaints helped prevent Rs 1,04,42,618 from reaching fraudsters’ accounts. Additionally, Rs 36.12 lakh has been recovered and returned to the victims.

Under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, awareness campaigns have been intensified. Citizens are urged to report fraud through the Cyber Crime Portal or by dialling helpline 1930, avoid suspicious links, and ignore claims of “digital arrests.”