Swift reporting by two victims enabled Hyderabad cyber crimes police to block and reverse fraudulent transactions totalling ₹6,48,947 in separate APK-based cyber fraud cases targeting residents in Yousufguda and Amberpet.
The first case involved a 26-year-old software engineer who received a WhatsApp message on December 5, demanding a ₹1,000 traffic fine and directing him to download a fake M-Parivahan app. The malware captured his bank OTPs and enabled unauthorised ICICI credit card transactions worth ₹5,23,125. He contacted the 1930 helpline immediately and filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, following which PC B. Priyanka, ICICI Bank and Amazon Pay coordinated to reverse the full amount.
In the second incident, a 53-year-old Amberpet resident installed an APK claiming to offer RBL credit card updates. The app accessed OTPs and enabled fraudulent transactions of ₹1,25,822. He approached the Cyber Crime Police Station, where PCs N. Srikanth Naik and Md. Javeed assisted him. Investigators found the purchases had been routed through Flipkart and Mobikwik for digital gift cards. The orders were cancelled and ₹1,00,000 was refunded, with further transactions stopped and the malicious app removed from his device.
Officials said both cases reinforced the importance of the golden hour, the brief window after a fraudulent transaction during which reporting can help banks freeze or reverse payments. The malicious APKs had permissions allowing fraudsters to read SMS messages, access OTPs and initiate e-commerce purchases.
Published – December 13, 2025 10:01 pm IST
