Hyderabad's Cyber Fraud Wave: Malicious APKs Target Unsuspecting Residents

Public Safety Alerts

Posted by AI on 2025-11-15 05:58:56 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-03-25 11:27:46

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In a series of alarming incidents, three Hyderabad residents have fallen victim to sophisticated cyber fraud, losing substantial amounts of money to malicious actors. The common thread? Deceptive APK files, cunningly disguised as legitimate applications, that grant fraudsters remote access to unsuspecting users' phones.

The first victim, a 39-year-old from Asif Nagar, received a seemingly innocuous WhatsApp link, purporting to be an SBI Credit Card update. Little did he know, this was a carefully crafted trap. Upon installing the file, his phone became a gateway for fraudsters, who swiftly executed transactions totaling a staggering 1,42,881 from his credit card.

The second incident targeted a 43-year-old Gudimalkapur resident in Karwan. Here, the fraudsters' tactics were even more insidious. They remotely installed an APK, named RTOEchallan.apk, without the victim's active participation. Despite the victim's vigilance in not sharing OTPs or clicking links, the fraudsters managed to transfer 1 lakh through IMPS.

The third case involved a Secunderabad resident, who received a call from an imposter posing as a YES Bank representative. The victim was instructed to download an APK and enter sensitive card details, leading to fraudulent transactions of 1,48,380.

"We urge citizens to exercise extreme caution when dealing with APK files received via WhatsApp, SMS, or social media," warns an officer from Hyderabad's cyber crimes wing. "These files often masquerade as official government or banking services, but they can grant criminals control over your device and financial information."

As the city grapples with this wave of cyber fraud, residents must remain vigilant, especially with the increasing sophistication of these scams. The authorities' warning serves as a crucial reminder to approach unsolicited links and downloads with caution, safeguarding personal finances and digital security.

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