Hyderabad, September 26: In a shocking case of cybercrime, a US-based NRI from Telangana has fallen victim to a sophisticated scam that has left him reeling. Fraudsters created a fake social media profile using his personal information and threatened to leak inappropriate content to his family in Hyderabad unless he paid a substantial sum. This alarming incident, which resulted in a loss of INR 1.40 lakh, has prompted his family to file a complaint with Telangana Police, who have subsequently launched an investigation into the matter.

According to a Times of India report, the scam began in July when the techie received a message on his phone warning him about a fake social media account featuring his personal details. The scammers demanded payment and threatened to release obscene content to his family and friends unless he complied. The victim, feeling cornered and fearful for his family's reputation, initially sought to address the demands made by the fraudsters. Mule Account Scam: Fraud Worth INR 175 Crore at Hyderabad SBI Branch, Manager Among 4 Arrested.

The perpetrators instructed him to make payments in cryptocurrency via Cash App. However, when that method failed, they provided an alternative by directing him to transfer money through Xoom, using a number based in India. Despite his efforts, the victim ultimately ended up transferring approximately USD 1,721 across multiple transactions to various bank accounts linked to the fraudsters. The continued demands for additional payments prompted him to cease communication with the scammers. Hyderabad Police Bust Cybercrime Racket, Arrest 36 People From Gujarat; Seize INR 38 Lakh Cash, Laptops and SIM Cards (Watch Video).

After halting contact, the fraudsters escalated their threats, bombarding him with messages from various Indian and international numbers. They even resorted to sending obscene emails to his family, friends, and colleagues. Alarmed by the situation, the victim's family lodged a formal complaint with the Telangana Police earlier this month, leading to the registration of a criminal case against unknown individuals.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2024 10:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).