Sat Feb 07 14:11:49 UTC 2026: # Illegal Loan Apps Extort ₹36 Lakh from Hyderabad Resident
The Story:
A 46-year-old resident of Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, was defrauded of approximately ₹36.16 lakh by illegal loan applications operating from the Google Play Store. The victim downloaded Loan Radar and Quick Funds in August 2025 and, despite repaying initial small loans, was targeted with inflated loan amounts, threats, and morphed obscene images. The Hyderabad cyber crimes police have registered a case and issued a public advisory.
Key Points:
- The victim downloaded Loan Radar and Quick Funds loan applications in August 2025.
- He was credited with larger loan amounts without consent after making initial repayments.
- Offenders gained access to the victim’s contacts and gallery, morphing photos and issuing threats.
- The victim repaid ₹64,16,242.64 against credits of around ₹29 lakh, resulting in a net loss of ₹36.16 lakh between September 2025 and February 2026.
- Cyber crimes police issued a public advisory warning against illegal loan apps and advised citizens to only use RBI-registered institutions.
Key Takeaways:
- The proliferation of illegal loan applications on app stores poses a significant threat to the public.
- Aggressive and unethical tactics, including threats and morphed images, are being used to extort money from victims.
- Lack of awareness and inadequate security measures on mobile devices contribute to vulnerability.
- Authorities need to strengthen regulations and enforcement to combat cyber fraud effectively.
First Piper 