A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) was allegedly duped of ₹37,000 by a cybercriminal. According to a case registered at the Tirupati East police station, the accused created a fake email account closely resembling that of the TTD’s Executive Officer and then sent an email to the NRI devotee, Venkata Prasad, seeking an urgent donation for the purchase of raw materials to prepare ‘Prasadam’ to be distributed during the proposed ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’ event in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Believing the email to be genuine, the NRI transferred the requested amount to the fraudster’s account. After failing to hear from the TTD regarding the receipt of the donation, the victim suspected foul play and raised the issue. Following this, the TTD’s Assistant Vigilance and Security Officer, G. Chandra, lodged a formal complaint with the Tirupati East Inspector, M. Srinivasulu. The department has enlisted the cyber wing to track the criminal’s digital footprint across the internet and to trace his antecedents through the beneficiary’s bank account.