735 Doctors Targeted by Cybercriminals; TGCSB Launches Awareness Push with Medical Associations
Doctors across Telangana have collectively lost nearly Rs 30 crore to various online scams over the past two years, highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime within the healthcare sector. According to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), cyber fraudsters are increasingly targeting medical professionals through sophisticated financial and digital scams.
Official data revealed that 735 doctors have fallen victim to cyber fraud since September 2024, resulting in total financial losses of approximately Rs 29.88 crore. Authorities noted that investment and business-related scams accounted for the largest share of losses, causing damages exceeding Rs 22 crore.
Apart from investment frauds, healthcare professionals were also targeted through digital arrest scams, identity theft, impersonation frauds, and misleading online advertisements. Cases involving job scams, cryptocurrency frauds, UPI-related scams, fake loan offers, and sextortion were also reported among members of the medical fraternity.
TGCSB Director Shikha Goel cautioned that educational qualifications and professional status do not protect individuals from cybercriminals. She urged doctors and healthcare workers to remain vigilant while responding to unsolicited phone calls, messages, emails, and online investment opportunities.
Cyber security officials emphasized that reporting fraud within the first few hours is crucial, as it significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and recovering stolen money. Victims have been advised to immediately contact the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and report incidents through the official cybercrime reporting portal.
The growing concern was discussed during a meeting involving senior representatives of key medical bodies, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana Speciality Hospital Association (TSHA), Telangana Doctors Federation (TDF), and Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (THANA), along with several specialist associations.
Participants recommended stronger cyber awareness initiatives and regular training programmes for healthcare professionals. It was also decided to disseminate cyber safety guidelines through hospitals, clinics, medical conferences, and continuing medical education (CME) programmes to strengthen digital security awareness across the healthcare community.
TGCSB and participating medical associations jointly resolved to work under the campaign slogan “Together for Cyber Awareness – Prevention – Protection” with the aim of creating a cyber-aware healthcare ecosystem and preventing doctors from becoming easy targets for online fraudsters.
