Hyderabad Businessman Defrauded of ₹3.64 Crore in Elaborate Online Trading Scam
The Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has registered a case and initiated a probe after a 64-year-old businessman from Karmanghat, Hyderabad, reported losing a staggering ₹3.64 crore in a sophisticated online trading and shopping fraud. The case was officially registered on Wednesday based on the victim's detailed complaint.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
According to police officials, the fraudulent scheme began on November 23, 2025, when a woman identifying herself as 'Meera' contacted the complainant through Facebook. She presented herself as an investor associated with a legitimate online shopping application and quickly gained his trust.
The fraudster directed the businessman to use a specific website, man******re.cc, and persuaded him to invest substantial funds towards procuring products for re-sale on the platform. She assured him that whenever customers placed orders for these products on the website, he would receive handsome profits or commissions from the sales.
The Financial Drain: 43 Transactions Over Two Months
Believing these claims to be genuine, the victim continued investing funds through the platform. Police investigation reveals that he was repeatedly pressured to make additional payments as new customer orders allegedly kept appearing on the system.
Between January 12 and March 5, the businessman transferred the enormous sum of ₹3.64 crore to different bank accounts in a total of 43 separate transactions. The scale and frequency of these transfers indicate a highly organized and persistent fraud operation.
The Final Red Flag and Official Complaint
The situation took a suspicious turn when the fraudster informed the victim that both the platform's accounts and her personal accounts had been frozen by authorities. She claimed these could only be restored—and his invested money withdrawn—if all pending payments from him were cleared.
When they demanded a large security deposit to activate the account, the businessman finally became suspicious and realized he might be dealing with criminals. He first submitted a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal on March 9 before formally approaching the TGCSB on Wednesday.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Based on the comprehensive complaint, the TGCSB Hyderabad unit has registered a case under Section 66-D of the Information Technology (IT) Act, which deals with cheating by personation using computer resources. Additionally, charges have been filed under Sections 318(4) (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 319(2) (Cheating by personation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Cyber security experts emphasize that this case highlights the increasing sophistication of online investment scams targeting individuals through social media platforms. The TGCSB investigation is now focused on tracing the digital footprints, bank transactions, and identities behind this elaborate fraud scheme that has caused significant financial devastation to the Hyderabad businessman.
