Fraudsters posing as Mumbai cyber-crime officials threatened fake charges and extorted funds from TDP legislator

Hyderabad, India — Monday, October 27, 2025

In a shocking case of cyber fraud, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA Putta Sudhakar Yadav was duped of ₹1.07 crore. Scammers impersonating Mumbai Cyber Crime officials carried out the fraud. According to police sources, the con artists threatened Yadav with arrest in a fake money-laundering and human-trafficking case. They demanded large payments as “provisional bail” to drop the fabricated charges.

How the Scam Unfolded

The incident began on October 10. Yadav, who lives in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, received an early morning phone call. The caller claimed to be a Mumbai cyber-crime officer. He told Yadav that his Aadhaar number and SIM card were linked to a bank account laundering ₹3 crore.

The caller alleged that 17 complaints had been registered against him and that arrest proceedings were already underway. Shortly thereafter, Yadav received a WhatsApp video call featuring an individual posing as a Cyber Crime Investigation Officer, displaying a forged arrest warrant and CBI freeze order. Intimidated, Yadav was told he must transfer money to avoid detention.

Over the next few days, Yadav complied and reportedly transferred ₹1.07 crore to multiple bank accounts between October 10 and 15. At one point, the fraudsters demanded an additional ₹60 lakh for final clearance, at which point Yadav realised he had been ensnared in a scam and filed a complaint with Hyderabad cyber-crime police

The Bigger Picture: Digital Arrest Frauds on the Rise

This case is illustrative of a broader and escalating cyber-crime pattern in India known as the “digital arrest” scam. In these schemes, fraudsters impersonate law-enforcement or judicial officials, create fake legal narratives, and coerce victims into transferring large sums.

In one related case, Mumbai cyber-crime authorities uncovered a ₹58 crore fraud involving similar tactics — forged court orders, spoofed calls, and multiple mule accounts.

Why High-Profile Targets Are Now Being Hit

Traditionally, scams targeted retirees or vulnerable individuals. But this incident involving a legislator signals that no one is immune. Cyber-fraud syndicates are diversifying targets, exploiting fear of arrest and legal repercussions to extort significant sums. Experts say the sophistication of the ruse — using video calls, forged documents, and citing real government agencies — enhances credibility.

Law-Enforcement Response & Investigation

Following Yadav’s complaint, Hyderabad cyber-crime police registered an FIR under sections pertaining to cheating, impersonation, and cyber-extortion. Investigators are tracing transaction trails, tracking mule accounts, and seeking to identify the scam network’s overlay structure.

Authorities are also issuing advisories urging individuals to verify any call claiming to be from law-enforcement, especially when demands for money or bank transfers are involved. The national cyber helpline “1930” remains the key channel for reporting such scams.

Why This Matters Politically and Socially

For a public figure like Yadav, the incident carries multiple implications. Politically, it may affect standing and public trust. Socially, it raises concern over how deep and brazen cyber-extortion schemes have become — even public-office holders can be manipulated under threat of arrest.

It also highlights how vulnerable even political leaders are to financial fraud. The case stresses the need for strong cyber-awareness, especially among those in positions of authority.
Officials say the incident should serve as a wake-up call for all. If senior public representatives can be duped, the overall threat of digital fraud is far greater than many assume.

Preventive Measures & What to Watch For

Cyber-crime experts recommend taking several proactive steps to guard against digital-arrest scams:

• Never respond to unsolicited calls from persons claiming to be law-enforcement asking for bank details or transfers.
• Verify sender identity through official channels — hang up and call the official number of the agency purportedly calling.
• Do not make payment demands of any kind for “bail,” “court orders,” or “account clearance” on unsolicited calls.
• Use two-factor authentication for bank accounts, monitor transaction alerts in real time.
• Report suspicious calls immediately via the national cyber helpline 1930 or local cyber-crime station.
• Educate support staff / family members, especially in households of public figures, as scammers often exploit family networks.

What Comes Next

As the police investigation continues, the key observable outcomes include:

• How swiftly banks and inter-bank systems act on tracing mule accounts and freezing funds.
• Whether Yadav can recover any portion of the ₹1.07 crore lost — historically recovery is low.
• How authorities may identify and prosecute the network behind this case; successful arrests could serve as deterrents.
• Whether further insider vulnerabilities are revealed — for example, use of compromised SIM cards, Aadhaar linkages or employee collusion.

Source: