Hyderabad’s Zonal Cyber Cells recover ₹79.6 lakh for victims in first month

Hyderabad: The newly formed Zonal Cyber Cells (ZCCs) in Hyderabad have facilitated refunds totalling ₹79,67,982 to cybercrime victims within just one month of their launch, according to city police. Each of the seven police zones in Hyderabad now has a dedicated cyber cell, operational since May 29, 2025.

In this period, the ZCCs processed 429 cases resulting in refunds, working closely with financial institutions and digital platforms. A total of 9,947 complaints were filed this year through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, out of which 6,698 were disposed of and 468 FIRs were registered.

In addition to financial recoveries, ZCCs cracked seven major fraud cases. Arrests were made in:

OLX scam (Banjara Hills): Victim lost ₹75,000 while attempting to buy an iPhone. Accused tracked via bank and mobile data.

Instagram blackmail (Madhuranagar): Woman harassed with edited photos and abusive messages. Accused arrested using digital trail.

Loan fraud (Film Nagar): Victim paid ₹56,800 on the promise of a loan waiver. Technical clues led to arrest.

Job fraud (Masab Tank, Santhosh Nagar, Madannapet): Victims lost between ₹50,000–₹73,000 through fake job offers. Accused in all three cases arrested.

Instagram Impersonation – Kachiguda: A person who created fake Instagram profiles using a victim’s photos was arrested.

Police credited the quick turnaround to strong oversight from zonal Deputy Commissioners and streamlined coordination between cyber units, banks, and digital service providers.

The Hyderabad City Police said the case reflects their citizen-focused approach to cybercrime ensuring fast investigations and meaningful compensation for victims. The department has pledged to continue upgrading its cyber response with advanced tools and tighter inter-agency cooperation.