Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 22 May 2024
A retired officer of A & N Administration has filed a complaint alleging a massive financial fraud. The victim, aged 60, residing at Haddo in Port Blair, claims he has been cheated out of Rs. 16,56,525 in a sophisticated online scam.
The victim recounted that he encountered a trading advertisement on Facebook on March 15, 2024. Enticed by the promise of lucrative returns, he clicked on the link provided in the advertisement on April 7, 2024, and was subsequently added to a WhatsApp group the following day.
Through the WhatsApp group, he was contacted by individuals using the names Anika Rai and Vivek Patel. They provided him with forms to fill out online and instructed him on investing in the stock market, promising returns up to ten times the initial investment within a month.
Between April 8 and May 16, 2024, the victim made a series of transactions totalling Rs. 16,56,525.
The victim used his BSNL mobile number, connected with WhatsApp and his bank accounts, to facilitate these payments through internet banking using the SBI Yono App and Google Pay. The transactions were made to different bank accounts provided by the alleged fraudsters.
Despite assurances of high returns, the victim has not received any profits. Realising he had been defrauded, he reported the matter to the authorities. The accused continued to pressure him for more payments even after the initial deposits.
In his complaint, the victim urged the police to register an FIR against the fraudsters and take all necessary measures to recover his money and apprehend those responsible. He has provided screenshots of chats and transaction records as evidence.