said Principal Secretary, Home, and Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Director, Shikha Goel.

Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Director Shikha Goel, along with cybersecurity expert Jiten Jain, cyber-law expert and advocate Pavan Duggal and others in Hyderabad. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

Nearly 60% of the money lost by cybercrime victims in Telangana is linked to stock-trading and investment frauds, while ₹455 crore lost to cyber fraudsters has been recovered over the past two years, said Principal Secretary, Home, and Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Director, Shikha Goel.

Speaking at a cybersecurity symposium in Madhapur on Tuesday, the officer said that organised cybercrime networks were increasingly relying on human behaviour rather than merely technological vulnerabilities, gaining victims’ trust before manipulating them into transferring money.

Fraud networks have also grown more sophisticated, with operations being run from countries including Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. They operate across multiple locations and time zones, making it difficult for investigators to reach those controlling the networks, she said.