Hyderabad, Aug. 3 -- The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has cautioned the public against a new cyber fraud in which scammers are targeting beneficiaries of the state government's Indiramma Housing Scheme by demanding earnest money deposits (EMDs) and using fraudulent websites and payment links.

The Bureau said cybercriminals are posing as officials of the Housing Department and calling beneficiaries, falsely claiming that their house allotment would be cancelled unless they immediately pay an EMD of Rs 10,000.

According to the advisory, the fraudsters create fake websites that closely resemble official government portals and send payment links through WhatsApp and SMS. In several cases, victims are also persuaded to install rem...