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.