Beware of ‘Indiramma Towers’ Scam Calls, Says Sajjanar
No middlemen in scheme; police flag fake websites, APK links targeting applicants
Hyderabad: City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on Sunday cautioned citizens against rising cyber frauds being carried out in the name of house allotments under the government’s ‘Indiramma Towers’ scheme in Hyderabad.
With the commencement of the ₹10,000 Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) payment process for beneficiaries, the commissioner warned that cybercriminals may attempt to dupe applicants through fake calls, misleading messages and fraudulent links.
He clarified that there is no role for brokers or middlemen in the scheme and that the selection process is completely transparent. Sajjanar assured that the EMD amount remains secure, and in cases where a house is not allotted, the entire amount will be refunded directly to the applicant’s original bank account.
Advising citizens to remain vigilant, he said people should not trust anyone claiming, “Pay money and we will ensure house allotment.” He also warned against panic tactics used by fraudsters, such as claiming deadlines like “today is the last date” to force immediate payments.
The commissioner further cautioned against clicking on unknown links received via WhatsApp or SMS or installing APK files, which can lead to mobile hacking and financial loss. He noted that cybercriminals may also create fake websites resembling official government portals.
Under the guise of assistance, fraudsters may ask victims to download screen-sharing applications such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer to access sensitive banking details. He stressed that a UPI PIN is required only for making payments and never for receiving refunds.
Citizens were advised not to share Aadhaar details, bank information, or OTPs with unknown individuals under any circumstances.
For clarifications regarding the scheme, the government has set up a dedicated helpline at 040-24603572.
In case of cyber fraud, victims should immediately call the toll-free helpline 1930 or lodge a complaint at [www.cybercrime.gov.in](http://www.cybercrime.gov.in) to help authorities freeze the funds at the earliest.
