TGCSB probes 2.73 lakh fake Rythu Bharosa SMS messages sent to Telangana farmers

According to a complaint from S. Neelima, Deputy Director of Agriculture at the office of the Commissioner & Director of Agriculture, […]HYDERABAD: Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has registered a case after approximately 2,73,128 fake SMS messages regarding the Rythu Bharosa scheme were sent to farmers using the Department of Agriculture's official SMS header, AD-TGAGRL-S. According to a complaint from S.

Neelima, Deputy Director of Agriculture at the office of the Commissioner & Director of Agriculture, Basheerbagh, on November 4, information was received from Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) and Mandal Agricultural Officers (MAOs) that farmers had received messages regarding the credit of Rythu Bharosa funds into their bank accounts. The text of the messages included financial figures like ₹12,000 and ₹6,300 with the bank reference. The format of the SMS header and the message template was found to be identical to those used by the department for official communications.

Investigation The department immediately contacted CDAC officials, who use the SMS Service Portal for official communications, and requested the SMS consumption report. The Push SMS Report revealed that a total of 2,73,128 messages had been delivered to farmers on November 3 and 4, 2026. However, the department had not initiated or authorised any SMS transmission regarding this subject during that period.

The department suspects unauthorised access to or misuse of its SMS communication channel, including the misuse of its identity and official header, to send unauthorised messages to farmers. It requested a detailed investigation to trace the source and origin of the messages, identify the agency or individual responsible, examine the possibility of unauthorised access to the SMS gateway, and take legal action.