Hyderabad: Cybercriminals used fake government-themed APK files to hack mobile phones and drain bank accounts, police said, after receiving multiple complaints across the city.
Scammers sent messages carrying malware links disguised as “RTO challan.apk”, “PM Kisan.apk” and “HMWS&SB.apk”. Victims clicked the files believing them genuine, and as a result, the malware installed itself. Once active, it captured OTPs and allowed criminals to wipe bank accounts and credit cards.
Cyber police said such complaints now arrive daily. Victims often realised losses only after accounts went empty. In some cases, however, victims themselves shared OTPs with the fraudsters, which made the theft easier.
Cybercrime cases linked to fake APK files in Hyderabad
In one case, a 47-year-old man lost ₹1.82 lakh from his HDFC account after installing an “RTO challan.apk” app. Similarly, another city resident lost ₹1 lakh after opening the same link.
Two SBI customers also reported combined losses of over ₹6.8 lakh after clicking “Court Order RTO.apk” and “PM Kisan.apk”. Meanwhile, a farmer who opened an “RTO challan.apk” link saw ₹5.65 lakh vanish from his account.
In another case, a Malkaigiri resident clicked a message sent in the name of “HMWS&SB”. Soon after, he opened the “HMWS&SB.apk” file and ₹2 lakh disappeared in phases from his HDFC account.
Therefore, police urged citizens not to click on unknown links or APK attachments. They warned that cybercriminals also steal personal data and seize full phone activity once their malware installs.
