Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 17 December 2023
A distressing incident of online fraud has come to light from Dollygunj, as a resident fell victim to an elaborate cyber scam, resulting in a staggering loss of Rs. 4,88,800/- (Rupees Four Lakh Eighty Eight thousand Eight hundred only).
In a written complaint addressed to the Station House Officer (SHO) at PS CCS, the resident narrated a harrowing sequence of events that began on 26th October 2023. He reported receiving a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, purportedly representing the “Influencer Marketing Hub.” The person, known as ‘Nita,’ enticed him with a promise of Rs.160/- commission for conducting Google searches for specific games.
This initial interaction led to a Telegram ID, where he was coerced into sharing personal and banking information. Falling into the trap, he complied and received Rs.160/- as promised.
Subsequently, he was added to a Telegram group. Lured by the prospect of earning Rs.50/- every 20 minutes for completing tasks, the resident engaged further by investing Rs.7000/-, which purportedly yielded him Rs.10,900/- in returns. The scammers, however, escalated their demands, prompting the resident to deposit larger sums of Rs.5000/-, Rs.21,000/-, and Rs.29,800/- on consecutive days.
The situation took a dire turn when the fraudsters alleged policy violations by the victim, coercing him into paying an additional Rs.55,000/- to avoid losing his previously invested money and commissions. Desperate to salvage his funds, he transferred the amount, only to be continuously trapped in a cycle of escalating demands, resulting in a total loss of Rs.4,88,800/-.
Expressing regret and acknowledging the manipulation, the resident realised the fraudulent nature of the operation, prompting him to file an official complaint seeking legal intervention.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing prevalence of cyber fraud and the necessity for stringent measures to safeguard individuals from falling victim to such elaborate schemes.
Greed for money and ignorance of cyber fraud has resulted in the loss. These are eye openers. Never open any message of suspicious nature and luring for unimaginable income or profit