735 Telangana Doctors Lose Rs 29.88- Cr to Cyber Frauds Since Sept 2024: TGCSB
Hyderabad, June 16 (TNT): The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) on Tuesday said that 735 doctors in the state have fallen victim to cyber frauds since September 2024, suffering cumulative losses of ₹29.88 crore, and called for greater vigilance among healthcare professionals against evolving online threats.
To address the growing menace, TGCSB organized a high-level interaction meeting with members of the medical fraternity in Hyderabad.
The meeting was led by TGCSB Director Shikha Goel along with SP (Admin) Harshavardhan and SP (Operations) B. Sai Sri, and was attended by 72 representatives of leading medical associations across Telangana.
Addressing the gathering, Goel said cybercriminals were increasingly targeting healthcare professionals and stressed that education and professional achievements do not provide immunity against cyber fraud. She emphasized that awareness, caution and timely reporting remain the strongest safeguards against such crimes.
According to TGCSB data, Business and Investment frauds accounted for the highest losses, with 127 doctors losing ₹22.39 crore. Other major categories included Digital Arrest frauds involving losses of ₹2.26 crore, Identity Theft cases causing losses of ₹2.05 crore, Impersonation frauds amounting to ₹1.32 crore and Advertisement frauds resulting in losses of ₹1.17 crore. Job frauds, sextortion, loan frauds, insurance scams, UPI frauds, matrimonial frauds and cryptocurrency-related scams were also reported.
The Director highlighted the importance of the “Golden Hour” in cyber financial fraud cases, noting that immediate reporting through the 1930 helpline or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering lost funds.
Representatives from several medical organizations, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana Speciality Hospital Association (TSHA), Telangana Doctors Federation (TDF), Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (THANA), Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), Cardiological Society of India (CSI), Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Telangana Orthopaedic Surgeons Association (TOSA) and Indian Dental Association (IDA), participated in the meeting.
During the interaction, participants agreed to intensify dissemination of cyber safety advisories through hospitals, clinics, medical conferences and professional associations.
TGCSB and the medical fraternity also resolved to work together under the motto “Together for Cyber Awareness – Prevention – Protection” to strengthen cyber resilience among healthcare professionals.
TNT TS
