Telangana's Cyberabad Police organised a first-of-its-kind Cyber Dandiya event on Sunday, 18 October 2026, weaving cybercrime safety messages into the festive spirit of Dandiya celebrations to build public awareness and deepen police-community bonds. Around 2,000 people attended the programme held under the Cyberabad Commissionerate.

Event Overview and Organisers

The initiative was organised under the leadership of Cyberabad Police Commissioner Dr M. Ramesh, in coordination with the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) and the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC). Government officials, police personnel, representatives from IT companies, youth, women, families and members of the general public from across the commissionerate took part enthusiastically.

Key Cyber Threats Highlighted

As part of the programme, participants received detailed explanations of various cybercrime types, their modus operandi and preventive measures. Organisers used AI tools, digital demonstrations and interactive videos to make cyber safety messaging accessible and easy to retain.

Commissioner Dr Ramesh urged citizens to stay alert against digital arrest scams, investment and trading frauds, phishing, smishing, OTP frauds, fake links and part-time job frauds. He also advised the public never to share OTPs, passwords, PINs or banking credentials with anyone, and to avoid clicking on suspicious links.

What Police Want Citizens to Do

Dr Ramesh emphasised that anyone who falls victim to cyber fraud should act immediately — call the 1930 Cyber Crime Helpline and report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. He cautioned people to scrutinise online investment offers, especially those promising unusually high returns, which are a hallmark of financial scams.

Senior Officers' Warnings

The event was mentored and coordinated by Pushpa, DCP Crimes, Cyberabad, alongside other senior police officers. She noted that cybercriminals routinely exploit fear, greed and trust to perpetrate fraud. Citizens were specifically cautioned against unknown calls, video calls, suspicious APK files, fake investment schemes and part-time job offers that seem too good to be true.

The Cyber Dandiya initiative reflects a broader national push to take digital safety awareness beyond formal settings and into community spaces — particularly relevant as cybercrime rates continue to rise across urban India. Events that merge cultural occasions with civic messaging are increasingly being adopted by police forces as a cost-effective outreach model.