Telangana is facing substantial financial losses as cybercrime continues to target citizens across the state. The Director of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, Shikha Goel, stated on Tuesday that people in the state are losing close to four crore rupees every day to online fraud. She said that around sixty percent of the victims are highly educated individuals, including IT professionals, software engineers, doctors, and private sector employees.
Although cybercrime is increasing across the country, Telangana has recorded an eight percent reduction in cases till September 2025. This is in contrast to the twenty nine percent rise noted across India. The overall financial loss in the state has also come down, which the authorities attribute to continued awareness drives and stronger preventive actions.
To address the growing threat of online fraud, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has launched a six week campaign called Fraud Ka Full Stop. The programme focuses on educating people about simple and effective ways to stay safe online.
The campaign features a series of outreach activities, including workshops and seminars in schools, colleges, and community centres. Flash mobs, safety walks, and rallies are being organised across major urban areas. Students are encouraged to take part in poster, painting, and short video competitions. Street plays, pledge drives, and social media challenges are also underway. Digital messages and jingles are being played at markets, railway stations, and RTC bus stands.
Students from Stanley College of Engineering and Technology for Women have formed cyber safety groups on campus to spread awareness. Goel said, “Cybercrime touches all of us. Some fall victim, while others avoid scams. Yet, it remains one of the most preventable crimes. Victims are often trapped due to fear, greed, confusion, or misplaced trust.”
Since May 2023, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has handled two lakh forty four thousand complaints through the national portal. It has registered fifty eight thousand two hundred and forty four FIRs and facilitated refunds of more than three hundred and fifty crore rupees.
Telangana DGP B Shivadhar Reddy highlighted how the nature of crime has changed. He said, “A decade ago, most crimes were robberies and dacoities. In the past five to six years, cybercrime has emerged as a major societal threat.”
Authorities aim to reach at least five lakh people directly through on ground events, along with wider coverage through radio, newspapers, television, and digital platforms. The bureau receives an average of one thousand one hundred and ninety calls every day, with a call connect time of three minutes. This year, the total number of calls has reached three lakh ninety thousand.
Experts say highly educated individuals are not immune to online fraud, as social engineering and technical scams can deceive even experienced professionals. The ongoing campaign aims to reduce such incidents and build a stronger culture of digital safety in Telangana.
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