Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police removed 140 Facebook and Instagram profiles and flagged 30 paid advertisements during September 2026. The action targeted objectionable content and promotions linked to potentially fraudulent schemes.
Police said the flagged material included videos involving minors, abusive language and obscene content. Investigators also identified misleading offers involving rare coins, Rs.5 tractor-design currency notes, Rs.786 serial-number notes, betting predictions and guaranteed winnings.
Meanwhile, officers flagged suspicious advertisements offering matrimonial services, private video calls and job opportunities. Police warned that fraudsters could use such promotions to demand advance payments or obtain personal, financial and identity-related information.
The department said the operation aimed to prevent online exploitation, financial fraud, impersonation, blackmail and other cyber-enabled offences. Citizens were urged to verify online offers before transferring money or sharing sensitive information with unverified individuals or platforms.
Hyderabad cyber patrol targets thousands of suspicious promotions
Under its wider cyber patrol initiative, police have cumulatively identified and removed 1,457 social media profiles. The unit has also taken down 2,603 paid promotional advertisements linked to online gaming, illegal betting and fake investment websites targeting Indian users.
Police said they had registered nine first information reports (FIRs) against promoters of such content. Separately, the C-Mitra initiative made 1,928 calls to cybercrime victims to provide guidance and assistance.
The initiative also facilitated the registration of 307 Zero FIRs to support prompt reporting and legal action. In addition, the department highlighted the Money Restoration Module (MRM), designed to streamline the return of funds frozen in cyber fraud cases.
The Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) addresses complaints involving frozen bank accounts and held funds. Police said these initiatives formed part of broader efforts to assist cybercrime victims and respond to online fraud.
In a separate digital arrest fraud case, police arrested a 27-year-old man from Pune, Maharashtra. The case emerged after a Hyderabad resident discovered that unidentified persons had allegedly contacted his deceased mother through WhatsApp while impersonating officials.
The suspects allegedly used fake documents to induce the woman to transfer Rs.6.60 lakh. Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and seized a mobile phone from the accused.