Malicious App from WhatsApp Compromises Phone, Drains Bank Account

Hyderabad:A 49-year-old city resident lost Rs 7.5 lakh after his phone was compromised by a fake mobile application sent over WhatsApp. The APK file, named after a Central government scheme for farmers, helped the fraudsters gain access to the victim’s savings account and fixed deposits. The money was siphoned off without the need for OTPs or any disclosure of banking details by the victim.

Police said the victim discovered on August 24 that his WhatsApp account had been hacked and multiple unauthorised transactions had followed. He reported the matter through the 1930 cyber helpline. Investigators found that the malicious APK carried malware capable of covertly accessing sensitive information and enabling transactions in the background.

Cybercrime officials have warned people against downloading or installing APK files sent over WhatsApp, SMS or through unknown links. They said apps should only be installed from official sources like Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Users have been advised to keep their phones updated, use trusted antivirus software, and never share OTPs, PINs or passwords with anyone, as banks do not ask for them.

People have also been asked to stay cautious and report incidents of online fraud immediately. Victims can dial 1930 or file complaints at cybercrime.gov.in. A Hyderabad helpline has also been set up at 8712665171 for emergency assistance. Cybercrime updates are available through cybercrimespshyd@gmail.com and on the official social media handles of Cyber Crimes Hyderabad.

Two Class 10 Dropouts Caught Running a Clinic in Jangaon

Hyderabad:Two Class 10 dropouts were found running a clinic in Jangaon during an inspection by the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) on Friday. The individual was also in possession of a certificate issued by American Association of Continued Medical Education (CME), points that are granted to medical professionals for maintaining their credibility, by a well-known pharmaceutical company.

The TGMC also team nabbed three fake doctors during the raid while five others fled after locking their clinics.

The council also exposed irregularities at Glory Diagnostics, which is allegedly being run with the backing of unqualified practitioners. Though employed in Warangal, Dr Ch Pradeep Kumar, MD (Pathology), has been accused of operating the diagnostic centre in his name without direct supervision. Lab technicians were found conducting tests without qualified oversight, charging exorbitant fees and paying commissions to quacks.

Those caught include P. Sadanandam and P. Sampath, brothers from Shivunipalli who have not completed even Class 10, but were prescribing antibiotics, steroids and referring patients to Glory Diagnostics. At Palkurthi Road, Vidyasagar Nagaraju was found injecting medicines without medical qualifications, while opposite the Ghanpur railway station, R. Srinivas, a BHMS doctor, was misusing a retired doctor’s name (Major Dr Lakshminarayana) to administer antibiotics and antipsychotic drugs.

Five others escaped: Abhilash, Pogu Jogeshwar, Kishanraju, Sanjeev and Mallesh.

Husband dies in suicide pact, wife survives

Hyderabad:A woman killed her husband, B. Ramakrishna, a YouTuber, and later attempted to die by suicide at their residence in KPHB, on Friday night. The couple was married for 20 years, and had no children, said KPHB inspector S. Rajashekhar Reddy and identified the accused as Ramyakrishna, 39.

The duo had planned to die by suicide due to financial difficulties since Monday, police said. On Friday night, Ramyakrishna attacked her husband with a knife and then attempted to die by suicide.

Both of them fell unconscious.

At around 11 am on Saturday, she regained consciousness for a brief period and found that her husband had succumbed to injuries. She called up her parents who reached the spot and shifted Ramya to a hospital and called the police. “Ramya’s condition is stable,” the KPHB police said.

Police said that after shifting to the city from Guntur, Ramakrishna had tried doing a private job, running a cloud kitchen and even starting a YouTube channel, but nothing worked. “He had a lot of debts and had to arrange `20 lakh for his mother’s treatment. Unable to do so, the couple decided to take the extreme step,” the inspector said.

Police said a case was registered against Ramyakrishna under Section 103 (murder) of the BNS. Further investigation into the incident is underway.

Two journalists held for extortion

Hyderabad:Shamirpet police arrested three persons, including two reporters, for allegedly extorting money from transporters and businessmen by misusing their media credentials. Sub-inspector Dashrath, identified the accused as Thirunarayanapuram Karthik and Bommerla Srikanth, belonging to Telugu newspaper, and their associate Kishan.

The trio had been intercepting lorries and threatening drivers with false cases. Chagarla Shiva Kumar, 24, a merchant from Siddipet, reported that his driver’s lorry was stopped at Anantharam four months ago, and `30,000 was extorted after threats and abuse. Subsequent demands included multiple transfers of `4,000, `8,000 and `6,000. The complainant alleged that their actions led to the seizure of his lorry by forest officials, causing financial distress, and compelled him to attempt suicide on June 15.

On August 29, the accused allegedly intercepted his lorry near a school at Narayanpur, demanded `20,000, threatened to kill him, assaulted the driver, and seized the lorry keys and mobile phone.

Police said the accused created fear among farmers, builders, and transporters by posing as journalists and threatening police or revenue action if bribes were not paid.

7.2 kg ganja held from security guard

Hyderabad: The excise special task force (STF) arrested a security guard allegedly fpr selling marijuana and seized 7.2 kg of the contraband from their possession, on Saturday. The accused were identified as Arjun Kumar and Rahul Pandari, natives of Bihar. Excise police said Pandari escaped, leaving behind 7.2 kg of marijuana with his partner. The team then seized the drug from Arjun Kumar’s residence.