Hyderabad Retired Professor Defrauded of Rs 20 Lakh in Elaborate Qatar Job Scam
In a distressing case of cyber fraud, a 72-year-old retired assistant professor of forensic medicine from Hyderabad has been cheated of more than Rs 20 lakh through a sophisticated overseas job scam. The fraudulent scheme falsely promised the victim a prestigious appointment in the forensic medicine department in Qatar, exploiting his professional credentials and aspirations.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The incident began in early October 2025 when an unknown individual contacted the retired professor, who resides in Kapra, via WhatsApp. The fraudster offered him the position of Specialist in Forensic Medicine in Qatar with an attractive monthly salary of Qatar Riyals (QAR) 65,000. Convinced by the seemingly legitimate offer, the victim promptly forwarded his bio-data and copies of his academic certificates through both WhatsApp and email.
On October 19, 2025, the victim participated in an online interview arranged by a woman identifying herself as Laxmi, who claimed to be the placement manager of a Qatar-based consultancy with an office in Mumbai. Following the interview, the fraudsters sent confirmation emails stating that the victim had been selected for the position.
Deceptive References and Escalating Demands
To further legitimize their scheme, when the victim requested contact details of other medical professionals supposedly hired by the consultancy for work in Qatar, the scammers provided a reference to one Dr. Musk Peruvanandan. The victim sent an email to Dr. Peruvanandan inquiring about the workplace, and received a response attesting to the firm's legitimacy, which reinforced his trust in the fraudulent offer.
Soon after, the suspects began making financial demands. They first asked for QAR equivalent to Rs 6.37 lakh as licensing fees. This was followed by additional requests for payments covering Arabic translation and attestation services. Between October 27, 2025, and January 13, 2026, the victim transferred over Rs 20 lakh through NEFT and RTGS to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Suspicion Arises and Police Intervention
The situation took a turn when the accused started pressing for further payments under the threat of penalties for non-compliance. At this point, the victim grew suspicious and realized he might have fallen prey to an elaborate scam. He immediately approached the authorities, filing a formal complaint with the Malkajgiri cybercrime police on Tuesday.
Acting on the complaint, the police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 316(2) for punishment of criminal breach of trust, 318(4) for cheating, 319(2) for cheating by personation, and 338 for forgery of valuable security. Additionally, the case includes charges under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, which deal with identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources.
Growing Concerns Over Online Job Frauds
This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of online job scams targeting professionals, especially those seeking overseas employment opportunities. Cybercrime experts warn that fraudsters often use fake interviews, forged documents, and deceptive references to create an illusion of legitimacy, making it crucial for job seekers to verify offers through official channels.
The Hyderabad police are actively investigating the case to trace the perpetrators and recover the defrauded amount. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution when dealing with unsolicited job offers, particularly those involving upfront payments or requests for personal and financial information.
