Investment frauds account for 60% of cybercrime losses in Telangana: TGCSB

Investment and stock trading frauds are responsible for about 60% of financial losses endured by cybercrime victims in Telangana, stated the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) on Friday. The bureau inaugurated its Independence Day cyber safety initiative, 'Suraksha Ka Tiranga', in Hyderabad on the eve of India's 77th Independence Day.

The campaign's motto is 'Towards a Cyber Independent Telangana'. The event was attended by DGP C.V. Anand, TGCSB Director Shikha Goel, actor Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao, senior police officers, students, teachers, and representatives from community organizations. TGCSB Director Shikha Goel mentioned that cybercrime complaints across India rose by 24% in 2025, whereas Telangana experienced a 3% decrease.

Financial losses in the State dropped by 20.2%, compared to a national decline of just 3%. This positive trend has continued in 2026, with complaints falling by 10.2% and financial losses declining by 26.8% during the first half of the year. The percentage of funds frozen has also risen from 21% to 29%. Shikha Goel articulated that Telangana has achieved the top position nationally in the Pragati review, an assessment that gauges states on nine cybercrime performance metrics, such as the implementation and utilization of national platforms like Samanvaya, Sahyog, the Money Recovery Module, and the Grievance Redressal Module.

Actor Nagarjuna Rao offered advice on online safety, emphasizing that he never acts rashly, verifies suspicious messages, and refrains from responding to calls or messages that create urgency or pressure. He highlighted that fraudsters primarily exploit trust and haste, rather than relying solely on technology. DGP C.V. Anand emphasized that an alert and informed citizen is the most robust line of defense against cyber threats.

He urged individuals to pause and verify before transferring money or disclosing personal information and to report any fraudulent activities promptly. During the program, campaign posters and films were unveiled, while students from SPARC clubs received appreciation certificates for their cyber awareness films and other materials.

Certificates were also awarded to units that excelled in the Pragati review. Victims of cyber fraud have been instructed to contact 1930 promptly or report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.