Pune Based Coaching Class Trainer Falls Victim to Online Courier Scam, Loses ₹3 Lakh to Cyber Fraudsters
Pune Based Coaching Class Trainer Falls Victim to Online Courier Scam, Loses ₹3 Lakh to Cyber Fraudsters (representational image)
A coaching class trainer, aged 51 and residing in Uttam Nagar, became the latest prey to cyber fraudsters in an online courier scam, losing a staggering ₹3 lakh. The unsettling incident unfolded on April 3 within the premises of his office in Dhayari, stretching from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
The fraudulent scheme orchestrated by the cybercriminals involved a phone call purportedly from a courier company. They alleged that a package under the victim’s name had been seized, containing an array of items ranging from passports and credit cards to banned substances, with an intended destination of Taiwan. Seizing on the victim’s concern and confusion, the scammers maneuvered to escalate the situation, ultimately forcing him to engage with the cyber police to file a complaint.
In a twist of deceit, one of the fraudsters masqueraded as a law enforcement officer from the crime branch, spinning a tale involving the illicit use of the victim’s Aadhar card by a former Maharashtra minister, Nawab Malik. Leveraging fear and intimidation, the fake police persona coerced the victim into transferring ₹3 lakh to an account provided by them, under the guise of evading legal repercussions.
The victim, unsuspecting of the elaborate ruse, complied with the demands, falling victim to the fraudulent ploy. The gravity of the situation prompted the victim to lodge a case with the Uttam Nagar Police Station, invoking relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to impersonation and fraud, along with provisions under the Information Technology Act.
An investigation into the elaborate scam is currently underway, as authorities seek to trace the perpetrators and prevent further exploitation of unsuspecting individuals. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and awareness among the public to safeguard against such nefarious schemes.
