Hyderabad Resident Duped of ₹12.75 Lakh Using Fake NSG Identities, Pulwama Angle

Quick Summary

• A 28-year-old resident of Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, was defrauded ₹12.75 lakh in a rental scam.
• The victim had advertised his flat on magicbricks on August 13 and was contacted by individuals posing as National security Guard (NSG) personnel.
• The fraudsters, identifying themselves as Ashish Kumar pahari and Rajendra Shekawath, shared fake identification documents to appear genuine.
• They used a fabricated “special security protocol” reportedly introduced after the Pulwama attack to convince the victim to make IMPS and UPI transfers totaling ₹12.75 lakh.
• Upon realizing the scam, the victim reported it immediately to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930).
• Hyderabad cyber crime police warned property owners about similar scams on platforms like Magicbricks, OLX, and 99acres involving fraudsters posing as Army or NSG personnel using forged IDs.

indian Opinion Analysis

The incident highlights an alarming trend in cyber fraud targeting India’s growing online rental market. Fraudsters increasingly exploit trust-based environments by impersonating respected entities such as NSG personnel and leveraging national security narratives for financial deception. With over ₹12 lakh lost in this case alone, such schemes underscore vulnerabilities in public awareness regarding online scams.

While reporting mechanisms like helplines (1930) and complaint platforms (cybercrime.gov.in) exist, proactive measures such as periodic public advisories by law enforcement authorities are crucial.Property listing websites also bear responsibility for enhancing verification processes that deter scammers from exploiting their platforms.

As India continues its digital embrace of services ranging from real estate listings to financial transactions, robust cyber hygiene practices coupled with swift legal recourse will be essential in preventing further misuse of technology aimed at innocent citizens.

Link: Published – August 20, 2025