Hyderabad: Investment and stock-trading frauds accounted for almost 60% of the monetary losses suffered by cybercrime victims in Telangana, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) said on Friday as it launched an Independence Day cyber-awareness campaign, Suraksha Ka Tiranga, at the Telangana Government Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGICCC) in Hyderabad.
State shows sustained improvement in 2025–26
TGCSB Director Shikha Goel, speaking at the event attended by Director General of Police C.V. Anand, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, EAGLE Force Director Sandeep Shandilya and actor Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao, said the State recorded a decline in cybercrime complaints and losses even as national figures worsened.
According to the bureau's publicly disclosed figures:
- Across India, cybercrime complaints rose by 24% in 2025; Telangana registered a 3% decline in complaints for the year.
- Financial losses in the State fell by 20.2% in 2025, compared with a national reduction of 3%.
- Improvement continued into 2026: during the first half of the year complaints fell by 10.2% and financial losses declined by 26.8%.
- The proportion of funds successfully put on hold by investigators rose from 21% to 29%.
The TGCSB said its performance helped Telangana secure the top rank nationally in the Pragati review, which assesses States on nine cybercrime performance parameters including use of national platforms such as Samanvaya, Sahyog, the Money Recovery Module and the Grievance Redressal Module.
Focus on investment frauds and public awareness
While the Bureau highlighted the improved recovery and reduced losses, it also emphasised that a large chunk of monetary damage stems from scams that target investors and retail traders. The bureau said stock trading and business investment frauds together accounted for nearly 60% of financial losses in the State.
"I never act in a hurry, verify unexpected messages and do not respond to calls or messages designed to create pressure or urgency,"
said actor Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao, who shared his personal approach to online safety at the event and urged citizens to exercise caution, particularly when pressured to make quick decisions.
DGP C.V. Anand underscored the role of an informed citizenry in reducing cyber vulnerability and the importance of multi-stakeholder coordination involving police, digital platforms and communities. TGCSB Director Shikha Goel noted that improved use of national digital modules and prompt freezing of suspect funds have contributed to better outcomes.
What the numbers mean for residents and businesses
The data point to two linked trends: an overall reduction in recorded complaints and losses, and a concentration of financial harm in investment-related schemes. For residents this underlines the continuing risk posed by scams that masquerade as legitimate investment opportunities or trading platforms.
Practical implications highlighted by the bureau and speakers at the event included verifying unexpected communications, avoiding hasty decisions under pressure, and using official complaint and grievance channels. The State's improved fund-hold percentage suggests quicker action by authorities can reduce irreversible losses.
Summary of key performance indicators
| Indicator | National (2025) | Telangana (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Change in complaints | +24% | -3% |
| Change in financial losses | -3% | -20.2% |
| Complaints (H1 2026) | — | -10.2% |
| Financial losses (H1 2026) | — | -26.8% |
| Funds put on hold (change) | — | 21% to 29% |
Officials at the TGCSB said the State's lead in the Pragati review highlights both systems-level improvements and operational gains, including faster coordination with banks and platforms to prevent leakage of funds.
As cyber threats evolve, the bureau's campaign aims to build household-level resilience and foster better reporting habits. The TGCSB plans to continue public outreach, school and college programmes, and partnerships with community organisations to sustain the downward trend in complaints and curb investment-related frauds that continue to account for the majority of financial losses.
Senior police officers at the TGICCC event reiterated that citizens should register complaints through official police cyber portals and avoid responding to unsolicited investment pitches or pressure-filled messages that ask for immediate transfers or OTPs.
With Hyderabad rapidly expanding as a technology and financial hub, law enforcement officials said ongoing vigilance, combined with better platform cooperation and public awareness, would be crucial to keep cybercrime losses declining.
