17th February 2025 – Cybercriminals have started targeting government officials in Telangana using a new approach that’s causing alarm. Rather than relying on common frauds like OTP scams or fake lottery wins, these criminals are impersonating officers from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Their tactic is to accuse tahsildars of taking bribes and kickbacks for official favors, creating a sense of urgency and fear in their victims. The scammers then demand money to prevent any legal action, exploiting the situation to their advantage.
In a recent incident, a tahsildar in the Yadadri district received a call from someone claiming to be from the ACB. The caller accused the tahsildar of accepting bribes and threatened to expose the alleged misconduct unless a hefty sum was paid. Feeling cornered, the tahsildar transferred ₹3.16 lakh into a provided account. It wasn’t until after the transaction that the tahsildar realized it had been a scam.
After realizing the fraud, the tahsildar immediately reported the incident to the Cybercrime police. Upon investigation, officials confirmed that the call was part of a larger fraudulent scheme. They reassured the public that ACB officers never engage in phone calls about bribery allegations, and any official inquiry would go through proper channels.
This scam has prompted police to issue a public warning to all government employees. They’ve advised officials to be cautious of unexpected phone calls and always verify the legitimacy of any claims. Authorities stress that if any government employee is truly under investigation for corruption, it will happen through formal procedures, not over the phone.
In response to the scam, the Cybercrime police are actively investigating and tracking the perpetrators. They’ve also encouraged others who might have fallen victim to similar scams to come forward and report their experiences. The rising frequency of these types of frauds underscores the growing need for awareness and protective measures to safeguard public officials.
Authorities are urging government employees to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity. While these cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics, there’s a strong push for better cybersecurity practices and increased awareness about such scams. It’s a reminder that even public officials aren’t immune to the dangers of online fraud.
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