- The Sattupalli cybercrime case is one of the largest in the country
- Telangana’s Largest-Ever Mule Account Racket Busted
- People should follow the ‘Pause Method’ after receiving such calls
It is a common misconception that only the “gullible” fall victim to cybercrime. In reality, modern cyber-fraud is less about technical hacking and more about social engineering the psychological manipulation of human emotions. In Telangana, 2025 was a landmark year for both the scale of these crimes and the sophisticated nature of the victims. Below is a detailed look at the landscape of cybercrime in the state, including the specific case you mentioned.
The Illusion of Immunity: Why the Educated Fall Victim
It may seem baffling that software engineers, doctors, and even the families of high-ranking police officials (IPS officers) are cheated. However, experts and the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) point to several reasons. Scammers use “tailored” baits like specialised phishing. For a doctor, it might be a fake notice about medical registration or a legal “digital arrest” threat that triggers panic. For a software engineer, it’s often a high-return investment platform that looks like a legitimate trading app.
Psychological “Short-Circuiting
Under intense stress (like a fake threat of arrest) or high excitement (a “guaranteed” 500% profit), the brain’s prefrontal cortex (logic center) shuts down, and the amygdala (emotional center) takes over. The “Optimism Bias“: Educated professionals often believe they are too smart to be scammed. This overconfidence leads them to ignore “red flags” that a more cautious person might notice. While “insatiability” plays a role in investment scams, many victims are driven by fear (of legal trouble), trust (in a person they think they know), or desperation (to secure a family’s future).
The Numbers: Telangana Cybercrime (2025)
According to the annual reports from the TGCSB and Hyderabad/ or Cyberabad Commissionerates, roughly 60% of cybercrime victims in Telangana are highly educated professionals (IT, Doctors, Private Sector). Citizens in Telangana lose nearly Rs 4 crore every day to cyber-fraud. In the Cyberabad region alone, losses amounted to Rs 404.61 crore in 2025, while Hyderabad city reported losses of ₹319 crore. While the numbers are high, police successfully facilitated refunds of over ₹350 crore statewide through the “1930” helpline and “put on hold” mechanisms.
The ₹547 Crore Khammam Syndicate (Sathupalli Case)
In the Sattupalli case, the amount fraudsters allegedly siphoned into mule accounts is ₹950 crore. Another suspected six individuals involved in the cyber scam are reportedly in hiding and are attempting to secure political support. This scam, which led to the custody of seven primary suspects from Kallur, Penuballi, and Sattupalli, is one of the largest “Mule Account” rackets ever busted in Telangana. The Modus Operandi of the gang, led by Potru Manoj Kalyan and others, acted as a “money-moving” hub for international cyber-cartels (often based in Cambodia or Dubai). The tapping of mule accounts is the key issue in the fraud.
What are mule accounts?
They (Cybercriminals) recruited villagers and local residents by paying them small sums (Rs 5,000–Rs 10,000) to open bank accounts. These “mule accounts” were then used to layer and launder stolen money. In just a short period, transactions worth Rs 547 crore passed through these accounts. The police discovered over Rs 114 crore in Kalyan’s account alone and millions more in accounts held by his wife and relatives. In January 2026, Khammam police arrested 18 person linked to this syndicate.
Police Suggestions and Common Intelligence
The Telangana Police, through their “Fraud Ka Full Stop” campaign, suggest the following “Common Intelligence” rules. The Golden Rule of Profits is – any investment promising returns significantly higher than bank fixed-deposit rates (e.g., “double your money in a month”) is 100% a fraud. Secondly, verify the source – No government agency (Police, CBI, ED, and Income Tax) will ever “arrest” you over a video call or ask for money to “clear” a case. This is a “Digital Arrest” scam. The persons, who received such calls, should follow the “Pause” Method. If you receive a message or call that makes you feel urgent fear or urgent greed, stop for 10 minutes. Call a friend or the 1930 helpline to verify.
Giving your account for mule account is also crime
The person, who gave his bank account to the fraudster to run Mule Account, should face criminal case along with the main criminal. So, never let someone else use your bank account for transactions in exchange for a commission. ‘He’ of ‘She’ will be held legally responsible for the “worth” of every rupee that passes through your account.
Summary of Losses in Telangana (2025)
In 2025, businessmen and software engineers, who fell into the trap of cybercriminals, lost Rs 300 crore. The fraudsters siphoned Rs 80 crore into their accounts from the people, mostly elders, doctors and professions by cornering them the words like digital arrest and scams. Unemployed youth and students lost Rs 100 crore on the name of part-time job scam and about Rs 25 crore by general public through OTP and Phishing scam.
Principal Correspondent, Prime Post
Adapa Dora, journalist cum farmer, proved his excellence in both the fields. While working in Andhra Bhoomi (Telugu Paper) and Deccan Chronicle, he forced a famous seed company to pay compensation to the maize farmers for crop loss due to the supply of spurious seeds to them. He wished to maintain harmony between tribals and non-tribals in the mandals of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district for the prosperous of both groups.
