BRS MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy Falls Victim To Cyber Fraud Over PM Scheme Claims

Hyderabad: BRS MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy on Thursday said he was duped by cybercriminals posing as officials offering financial assistance to unemployed youths under the central government scheme in his constituency. Reddy, who represents Jangaon in the legislative assembly, said fraudsters contacted him on April 5 and claimed that 40 young men and women from his constituency would receive assistance of Rs 10 lakh, including a grant of Rs 5 lakh under the ‘Prime Minister Viksit Bharat’ scheme.

He was directed to pay Rs 2,500 per application, with the last date being April 5.

“I thought our youth should benefit from the scheme and since the deadline was that day, I decided to pay the money myself. I transferred Rs 1 lakh from my wife’s phone to 40 people through a digital payment app. Later, I realized it was a scam and filed a complaint at Jubilee Hills police station,” Reddy told reporters.