A 57-year-old Bowenpally resident lost Rs 3.61 lakh in an online scam after responding to a fake Facebook ad offering Rs 95 lakh for antique coins. The fraudsters, posing as officials from a fake 'Indian Coin Company' in Delhi, contacted the victim after he showed interest. They collected his coin images, photo, and Aadhaar details, then demanded payments under various false pretexts including documentation, GST, customs, delivery, bribes, accident claims, and processing charges. Trusting them, the victim borrowed from relatives and made multiple transfers totaling Rs. 3,61,847. When the promised payout never arrived, he realized the scam and filed a complaint on the national cybercrime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) on September 21, 2025.

Cybercrime police have issued a warning to the public about similar scams, which often circulate through social media ads. They urge citizens to verify the authenticity of such offers and avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown sources online.