The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has issued an urgent alert to citizens regarding a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting beneficiaries of the state government’s Indiramma Housing Scheme. Scammers are impersonating officials from the Housing Department and demanding immediate payment of earnest money deposits (EMDs) through fraudulent websites and payment links. The cybercriminals are calling beneficiaries and falsely claiming that their house allotment will be cancelled unless they pay an EMD of Rs 10,000 without delay. The Bureau has warned that these fraudsters create fake websites designed to closely resemble official government portals and distribute payment links through WhatsApp and SMS.
According to the advisory released by the TGCSB, the scammers are employing multiple tactics to deceive victims. In several reported cases, fraudsters have persuaded victims to install remote access applications on their mobile phones. Once installed, these applications enable the scammers to gain complete control of the victim’s device, including access to banking applications, which they then use to siphon off money from the victim’s accounts. The Bureau emphasized that no legitimate government official would ever demand immediate payment through unofficial channels or ask citizens to install third-party applications on their devices.
The Cyber Security Bureau has advised citizens to make payments only through official government portals and to carefully verify website URLs before entering any personal or financial information. The public has been strongly urged never to share OTPs, PINs, passwords or bank account details with anyone over phone calls or messages, regardless of how urgent or official the request may seem. The Bureau recommended that citizens who receive suspicious calls or messages regarding the housing scheme should contact the concerned government department directly and not act on instructions given by unknown callers.
The Bureau has appealed to the public to remain vigilant against fake EMD demands and fraudulent links circulating on social media and messaging platforms. Victims of such fraud or those receiving suspicious communications have been asked to report cyber fraud by calling the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or by filing a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
