The police in Hyderabad have arrested Bathina Sai Priya for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated social media scam that targeted software engineers. According to City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, Priya created fake Instagram profiles featuring images of attractive women, which were also registered on matrimonial websites.
Her modus operandi involved initiating online conversations with unmarried men, particularly in the tech sector, through WhatsApp while impersonating the women in the photos. By establishing emotional connections, she deceived her victims with fabricated stories of financial hardship.
One notable victim, a software engineer from Visakhapatnam, fell for Priya’s scheme and lost a staggering Rs 22 lakh. Once he realized he had been conned, he promptly filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police Station.
Inspector Bhavani Prasad, who leads the cybercrime team, conducted the investigation, which ultimately led to Priya’s arrest. The case highlights the growing risks associated with social media and the need for increased awareness regarding online scams.