Hyderabad: Telangana Police have facilitated the refund of ₹139.68 crore to 24,189 victims of cyber fraud so far in 2026, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) Director, Shikha Goel, said on Sunday.
Mechanisms used: Lok Adalat and MRM
The state’s recovery efforts combined traditional dispute-resolution through the National Lok Adalat and a newer technical route, the Money Restoration Module (MRM), launched by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in May 2026. The TGCSB coordinated with the Telangana State Legal Services Authority (TSLSA), banks, digital payment service providers and local police units to expedite refunds.
At a recent Lok Adalat held in Hyderabad, the TGCSB and partner agencies facilitated the return of ₹42.28 crore to 3,896 victims. The MRM, operational in Telangana since June, has directly restored funds without the need for court orders, and had delivered ₹27.23 crore to 9,355 victims as of 12 September.
“Telangana continues to remain at the forefront of providing financial justice to cybercrime victims,”
Goel attributed the results to prompt response to complaints, effective coordination with banks, judicial support and efficient utilisation of Lok Adalat and MRM mechanisms by police units across the state.
District performance and unit-wise results
Cyberabad topped the Lok Adalat recoveries, followed by TGCSB’s central effort and Malkajgiri. Other units including Hyderabad and Suryapet also delivered notable refunds.
| Unit | Amount refunded (₹ crore) | Victims |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberabad (Lok Adalat) | 14.19 | 942 |
| TGCSB central | 10.55 | 41 |
| Malkajgiri | 5.27 | 1,024 |
| Hyderabad Police | 5.02 | 530 |
| Suryapet Police | 0.76 | 34 |
Combined through Lok Adalat and MRM mechanisms, 13,251 victims have received financial relief in Telangana this year, the TGCSB reported. Since its inception, the Bureau has facilitated refunds totalling ₹514.93 crore for 73,204 victims.
How the MRM changes the recovery landscape
The Money Restoration Module permits police and banks to reverse unauthorised transfers and return monies to victims without awaiting lengthy court proceedings. The TGCSB said the MRM became operational in Telangana in June and is being promoted actively to citizens and victims of financial cybercrime.
- Speed: The MRM enables faster refunds compared with traditional litigation.
- Coordination: Successful recoveries require collaboration between police, banks and payment service providers.
- Accessibility: Victims are urged to register complaints promptly with local police or through TGCSB channels to initiate MRM cases.
Goel urged cybercrime victims to apply for refunds through the MRM and said the Bureau will continue strengthening both the Lok Adalat process and MRM-based recovery mechanisms to provide faster financial relief and justice.
Practical implications for victims and the public
For victims of phishing, vishing, SIM-swap or other financial cyberfraud, the TGCSB’s figures demonstrate that structured institutional responses can yield measurable returns. However, recovery is not automatic in every case; it depends on the nature of the transaction, cooperation from banks and payment providers, and the timeliness of the complaint.
Authorities advise affected persons to:
- Register a formal complaint with the local police and obtain a copy of the FIR or acknowledgement.
- Preserve transaction details, messages and call records that can assist investigation.
- Approach the TGCSB or district cyber cells for guidance on initiating Lok Adalat or MRM processes.
Telangana’s model—combining mediation through Lok Adalat with technology-driven restoration via the MRM—may provide a template for other states seeking to improve financial redress in cyber-enabled frauds. The TGCSB’s performance figures underscore growing institutional capacity to tackle the financial consequences of cybercrime, though authorities caution that prevention and digital literacy remain critical to reduce victimisation.
Reporting from Hyderabad.
