Cyber fraud incidents continue to target individuals across profiles, including public representatives. Chirri Balaraju, an MLA from Andhra Pradesh, has lost Rs 12 lakh in an online scam, police said.
The legislator from the Jana Sena Party reportedly received a WhatsApp message containing a link claiming to be related to a Road Transport Authority (RTA) challan. After clicking on the link, the amount was allegedly withdrawn from his bank account.
Upon realising the fraud, the MLA filed a complaint with the police. A case has been registered at Jeelugumilli Police Station, and an investigation is underway to trace the accused and recover the money.
This is not an isolated case involving legislators in the state. In October last year, Putta Sudhakar Yadav, an MLA from the Telugu Desam Party, lost Rs 1.07 crore in a digital arrest scam.
Cybercriminals impersonating Mumbai Cybercrime Police officials allegedly targeted the MLA, who resides in Hyderabad. He later approached the Hyderabad cybercrime police after discovering the fraud.
The scammers reportedly threatened him with arrest in a fake case involving money laundering and human trafficking. They claimed an FIR had been registered against him based on 17 complaints, alleging misuse of his Aadhaar and SIM card to open a bank account.
According to the MLA, a fraudster posing as an investigation officer joined a WhatsApp video call and showed a forged arrest warrant along with a fake CBI account freeze order. Under pressure, he transferred Rs 1.07 crore in 9 transactions over a week to secure a so-called provisional bail.
The fraud came to light when the scammers demanded an additional Rs 60 lakh for a court clearance order, prompting the MLA to approach authorities.
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