Prakasam, February 3, 2025 – A retired Mandal Educational Officer (MEO) in Kanigiri, Prakasam district, lost ₹36 lakh in a cyber fraud after scammers posed as police officers and lawyers. The fraudsters blackmailed him, falsely accusing him of sharing obscene WhatsApp messages and coerced him into transferring money. The incident, which began on January 17, recently came to light, highlighting the growing cybercrime menace.
The victim, Mule Brahma Reddy, and his wife revealed that they were mentally harassed for nearly two weeks, with the threats pushing them to the brink of suicide. The criminals used intimidation tactics, impersonating police officials like an SI and DSP, to extort money. The case has raised concerns over the rising cyber fraud cases in the region, prompting calls for stricter law enforcement measures.