Hyderabad Man Duped of ₹2 Lakh in WhatsApp Scam Posing as Friend at Delhi Airport

Quick Summary

• A 27-year-old government employee from Hyderabad lost ₹2,05,500 in a WhatsApp scam involving impersonation.
• The fraudster posed as a friend stuck at Delhi airport and mimicked the friend’s voice over the phone.
• The victim was asked to pay clearance charges of ₹55,500 for alleged foreign currency issues and later transferred an additional ₹1.50 lakh.
• Suspicion arose after demands for another ₹3.50 lakh were made; the victim then filed an online complaint.
• Authorities emphasized that government agencies do not request payments via phone/WhatsApp and advised victims of cyber fraud to dial 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in for assistance.
• Hyderabad citizens can also report such incidents on WhatsApp at 8712665171.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

This incident underscores vulnerabilities in digital communication as cyber fraudsters increasingly exploit familiar social contexts like impersonating friends. The seamless use of voice mimicry technology and fabricated documents highlights growing sophistication in scams that prey on trust, urgency, and emotional manipulation.

Efforts by authorities to provide accessible reporting mechanisms such as helpline numbers (1930) and platforms like cybercrime.gov.in are proactive measures aimed at curbing financial losses from cyber crime. Public awareness campaigns emphasizing skepticism toward unsolicited requests for money can play a vital role in preventing such occurrences nationwide.

As India’s digital user base expands rapidly, extensive cybersecurity initiatives-including public education on identifying fraudulent attempts-will be essential in protecting citizens against similar scams while fostering confidence in online interactions.