Hyderabad senior citizen cheated of ₹1.5 lakh in WhatsApp water connection scam

Fraudster posed as water board employee, sought file update

HYDERABAD: A 67-year-old retired government employee from Riyasath Nagar was cheated of ₹1.5 lakh in a cyber fraud after he shared his WhatsApp screen with a caller who posed as a Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) employee.

The victim, Noor Ahmed, said he received a WhatsApp call on September 11, 2025, from mobile number 76*** **088. The caller claimed that Ahmed’s water connection file required an online update and guided him through an application form.

Fraudster sought ₹12 test payment

According to Ahmed’s complaint, the fraudster then asked him to make a token payment of ₹12 through his debit card. After the transaction, the caller insisted that Ahmed share his WhatsApp screen to confirm the update.

“When I followed his instructions, he could see my debit card details and password. He then siphoned off a huge amount from my account,” Ahmed said in his complaint.

Multiple transfers to different accounts

Details furnished in the complaint show that the money was withdrawn in six transactions. The amounts included ₹1,499 to Sony Liv, ₹24,000 and ₹20,000 to an account in the name of Shubham, ₹86,350 and ₹18,078 to Navi Technologies, and ₹7,198 to Jio Payments.

The total loss was ₹1,57,125 debited from Ahmed’s HDFC Bank account.

Ahmed said he later realised it was a trap by cybercriminals and sought action to prevent others from falling victim. Police have registered a case and are investigating.

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