Cyber fraudsters duped Polavaram MLA Chirri Balaraju and withdrew ₹12 lakh from his bank account in Eluru district.

Acting on a complaint, the Jeelugumilli police in Eluru district registered a case on Sunday and began an investigation. The fraudsters allegedly sent a link to the MLA’s mobile phone on the pretext of a challan. “When Mr. Balaraju clicked the link, the amount was withdrawn from his bank account within minutes,” the police said.

Speaking to The Hindu, Polavaram Deputy Superintendent of Police M. Venkateswara Rao said that, based on the MLA’s complaint, the Jeelugumilli police along with the cybercrime wing had launched a probe. “We are trying to trace the source account from which the amount was withdrawn and identify the beneficiary accounts to which the money was transferred,” a cybercrime police officer said.