Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar alerts parents to phone scams mimicking police calls about child kidnappings and warns against indecent online content featuring minors.

Hyderabad: City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has issued a strong warning to parents after a rise in fraudulent phone calls where scammers pose as police officers, falsely claiming that a caller’s child has been kidnapped.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Sajjanar cautioned citizens not to panic if they receive such distressing calls — even if the fraudsters use the child’s name or play recorded sounds of crying to appear convincing. “Fear and anxiety are becoming tools in the hands of cybercriminals. Only awareness and vigilance can stop them,” he posted.

He advised the public to immediately contact the police helpline at 1930 or file a report on the National Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) if they receive such calls. The commissioner also shared an example of a recorded conversation between a fake cop and a targeted parent to highlight how the fraud works.

In a separate message, Sajjanar condemned social media creators who use minors in obscene or exploitative videos, noting that two YouTube channels had recently been booked under the POCSO Act for such content. He emphasized that “freedom on social media doesn’t mean freedom to exploit,” warning that strict legal action will follow against offenders.

Questioning the moral decay driving such acts, he asked, “When views matter more than values, what are we teaching our children?” Sajjanar urged creators to focus instead on positive, inspiring stories that encourage young minds toward meaningful growth.

Analysis: This advisory highlights the double-edged nature of digital exposure—while technology connects families, it also opens doors for manipulation and exploitation. Hyderabad parents are urged to limit how much personal information about their children is shared online and to teach kids basic cyber-safety practices. Awareness, not panic, remains the first line of defense.