Cyber Crooks Siphon ₹102 Crore From Senior Citizens

over the past 19 months, Hyderabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said
during an awareness drive on Sunday. He urged elderly citizens to remain
vigilant against emerging digital frauds.

Sajjanar said prompt police action, awareness drives and timely banking
intervention had resulted in a noticeable drop in cases in 2026.
Cybercriminals were increasingly targeting senior citizens, taking advantage
of their vulnerability, isolation and lack of technical familiarity to
siphon off their life savings, he said.

Statistics released by the Hyderabad cybercrime police station between
January 2025 and July 31, 2026, showed 403 cases involving victims above 60
years of age, with the total siphoned amount reaching ₹102.02 crore. Of
these, in 113 cases, elderly citizens lost ₹55.88 crore.

Senior citizens were predominantly falling prey to trading frauds, digital
arrest scams, OTP frauds and investment scams. In 69 cases of fake “digital
arrest”, victims lost over ₹31.93 crore. Another ₹4.94 crore was lost to OTP
frauds, where scamsters persuaded victims to reveal the OTP and carried out
transactions. Investment frauds cost senior citizens ₹2.79 crore in 22
cases.

Sajjanar said extensive awareness campaigns, proactive monitoring and swift
police action had led to a decline in cybercrimes targeting senior citizens.
Immediate reporting by victims allowed police to freeze fraudulent bank
accounts quickly during the “golden hour” and initiate fund recovery, he
said. Against 285 cases in 2025 in which ₹71.81 crore were lost, the monthly
average was 24 cases. The number has fallen to 17 cases so far this year. In
118 cases lodged this year, senior citizens have lost ₹30.20 crore.

He highlighted the role of alert bankers, noting that timely intervention by
bank staff — questioning sudden premature closure of fixed deposits or
unusually large RTGS/NEFT transfers to unknown accounts — had successfully
foiled several high‑value cyber frauds.

Investigations revealed that lack of family supervision was a major factor.
Children often failed to monitor their elderly parents’ digital activities,
banking transactions or sudden behavioural changes due to panic, discovering
the fraud only after significant sums were lost.

Elderly woman killed for gold chain, two arrested

Tirumalayapalem police on Saturday arrested two persons in connection with the killing of an elderly woman at Pindiprolu in Khammam district and recovered gold ornaments allegedly stolen from the victim.

The arrested were identified as Aithaboina Prashanth, 26, a native of Pindiprolu, and Saraganla Mahesh, 20, of Balinidharmaram in Marripeda mandal of Mahabubabad district.

Addressing a media conference in Khammam, assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Khammam Rural, B. Thirupathi Reddy said elderly woman K. Suguna was found dead at her home on the night of July 17 with severe injuries to her head.

During the investigation, police found that Mahesh, who was from the same village and was allegedly addicted to liquor and online betting, had attempted to snatch Suguna’s gold chain when she was alone at home. When she resisted, he allegedly attacked her with an iron rod, causing fatal head injuries.

Police said Mahesh later sought the help of Prashanth to dispose of the stolen jewellery. The duo allegedly pledged the ornaments with a bank and raised `1.5 lakh.

Police recovered the stolen gold ornaments and arrested both accused. Further investigation is under way.

Man, paramour held for killing woman in Khammam

Sathupally police on Sunday arrested a man and his alleged paramour in connection with the murder of a 65-year-old woman at Thumburu in Sathupally mandal of Khammam district.

The arrested were identified as Vedulla Thirupathi Rao, 55, and Pagutla Sunitha, 35, both residents of Thumburu.

Police said the victim, Gundala Venkatanarsamma, was found charred near the Anjaneya Swamy temple on the outskirts of Narayanapuram. Her daughter had earlier lodged a complaint with Sathupally police stating that her mother was missing.

During the investigation, police identified the charred body as that of Venkatanarsamma and suspected the involvement of her son-in-law, Thirupathi Rao, and Sunitha.

According to police, Thirupathi Rao allegedly planned the murder after Venkatanarsamma informed his wife, Mangamma, about his alleged relationship with Sunitha. The two allegedly strangled Venkatanarsamma at her house when she was alone on August 3.

Police said the accused then wrapped the body in a bedsheet, transported it on a motorcycle to the outskirts of Narayanapuram and set it on fire.

The two were arrested following the investigation and further probe is under way.

Former CBI Director Urges Transfer of Trainee IPS Sexual Harassment Probe to CID

CBI former director Mannem Nageswara Rao has asked DGP C.V. Anand to
transfer the probe into allegations of sexual harassment against trainee IPS
officer M. Uday Krishna Reddy to the CID. In a post on his X handle, Rao
said Krishna Reddy had filed a complaint before the Uppal magistrate against
city police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar and other police personnel, alleging
that he was subjected to abusive language, threats, physical assault and
improper interrogation during police custody.”
“If these allegations are true, they are extraordinarily serious and warrant
an immediate and independent inquiry into the conduct of the officers
concerned,” he said.
Rao said Sajjanar was not the supervising officer of the case; as the senior
officer he had the power and responsibility to review the progress of
investigations. “However, the allegations that he personally interrogated
and threatened the accused is correct and require independent examination,”
the CBI former director said.





Burglars Break Into Pilgrim's House in Peerzadiguda, Decamp with Silver and Cash


Burglars broke the main door late on Saturday night and made off with silver
ornaments and cash at a house in Peerzadiguda, police said. The inmates were
on a pilgrimage. Medipally police said they had been informed of the
robbery by neighbours. House owner N Nagaraju told the police that 40 tolas
of silver, `20,000 and $600 were missing. Police began investigations.



Mason Dies After Falling from 7th Floor of Gandhi Medical College Hostel Building



Mohammed Mustafa, a 44-year-old mason, succumbed to injuries after he
accidentally fell while working at the seventh floor of Gandhi Medical
College hostel building. His colleagues informed the Musheerabad police who
went to the spot and began investigations.

His colleagues held a protest at the site alleging the accident occurred due
to lack of necessary precautions and safety measures. They demanded action
against those responsible for the accident and appropriate compensation for
Mustafa’s family.

Hash Oil Worth ₹2.5 Lakh Seized at Abdullapurmet; One Arrested


The task force and EAGLE Force personnel along with the Abdullapurmet police
nabbed one Burse Narendra Srinivas as he alighted from a bus on the
Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway and seized 200 ml (330 grams) of hash oil worth
`2.50 lakh.

Police said Srinivas, an AP native staying in the city, used to communicate
with his supplier and customers via Snapchat, used buses for transportation
and never booked tickets in advance to avoid the police, according to
Sandeep Shandilya, EAGLE Force director. Srinivas said he had purchased the
narcotic from Shiva Das and Hari of Odisha who are absconding.

Two youths attacked with knives, injured

Two youths were injured in a group clash at Kisannagar in Karimnagar town on Sunday evening.

According to police, Guguloth Srikanth and his brother Shekhar were allegedly attacked by a group of six youths with knives and broken beer bottles. Srikanth sustained stab injuries, while Shekhar also suffered injuries.

The injured brothers were shifted to the district headquarters hospital for treatment.

Srikanth alleged that followers of BJP corporator from the 29th division, Somidi Venu, attacked him and his brother. He said an old rivalry between the two groups was behind the attack.

Srikanth alleged that the group had consumed liquor before attacking them. Shekhar identified the alleged attackers as Bhanuchander, Madhukar, Chintu, Nagaraju, Nagender and Charan.

Police visited the hospital after learning about the incident and registered a case. An investigation is under way.

Four‑year‑old succumbs after father’s assault


A four‑year‑old, who was beaten by his drunk father on August 5 near Pillar
No. 104 of the PVNR Expressway, succumbed to injuries while undergoing
treatment at Niloufer Hospital on Sunday night.

His father, a 25-year-old, after a quarrel with his wife, smashed the minor
him against the pillar and hurled him to the ground. He later tried to throw
the child under a lorry but was restrained by locals. The father has been
booked for murder.

The father, said to be a habitual drunkard, had been embroiled in repeated
disputes with his wife. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s family
members, Gudimalkapur police altered the charge from attempt to murder to
murder. The accused has been produced before court for judicial remand. The
body has been shifted to OGH mortuary for post‑mortem.