Madhapur DCP Ritiraj and other senior officials interacted with students at Telangana Social Welfare Residential School, Gowlidoddi | Photo credit: By arrangement
Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas was observed in Telangana on Thursday (November 6, 2025) with a focused campaign highlighting the growing menace of business investment scams, especially fake share trading and IPO scams. Officials said these crimes now account for about 26% of total cybercrime complaints in the state and account for nearly 66% of all reported financial losses.
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) said fraudsters are increasingly using social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram and posing as market experts to lure citizens with stock tips, IPO information and exclusive investment opportunities.
Data shared by the authority revealed that most of the victims belong to the age group of 22-38 years, with private employees accounting for 33%, students 19% and housewives 12%. Retired employees also remain a vulnerable group.
Male victims accounted for 76% of the total number of cases, while females accounted for 24%. The TGCSB said scammers typically add individuals to groups called “investment learning” or “premium trading signals”, use fake dashboards and share fabricated images of profits to make them appear genuine. Victims are lured into investing and later forced to make repeated payments under the pretext of processing or top-up fees. Once a withdrawal is attempted, scammers either cut off contact or demand further payments.
As part of the day’s activities, police held information sessions across the state – in public parks during morning walks, in schools and colleges at midday, and in community centers and residential areas in the evening. Officers from the TGCSB and local police conducted 117 sessions for morning walkers and 387 for students, housewives, senior citizens and employees, with more sessions planned throughout 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 a short period of time, requests to install third-party applications, and emotional pressure to make quick investments.
TGCSB has urged victims of such scams to immediately dial 1930, report incidents at www.cybercrime.gov.in, preserve chat history and transaction details and contact their banks to freeze transactions.
Published – 06 Nov 2025 20:18 IST
