Hyderabad: Bizman Loses Rs 6 L to Cyber Fraud
The victim used his account to buy 20 gift cards worth Rs 10,000 each, totalling Rs 2 lakh and shared the redemption codes over email.
Hyderabad: In a case of digital impersonation and cyber fraud, a businessman from Vanasthalipuram was duped of Rs 6 lakh by a gang posing as officials from the department of telecommunications (DoT), Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
According to police, the victim received a call on August 2 from an unknown number claiming to be from the DoT. He was informed that a criminal case had been registered against him at the Connaught Place police station in Delhi. The call was then transferred to another person who introduced himself as a police officer named Devendra Paul.
The fraudsters claimed that the businessman’s Aadhaar number had been misused by a criminal in custody and was linked to drug trafficking, money laundering and identity theft. Soon after, another person posing as a CBI officer named Ajay Singh contacted the victim. He explained the charges in detail and sent forged documents carrying logos of the Supreme Court, CBI and Delhi Police to convince the victim of their authenticity.
Fearing arrest and public humiliation, the victim was persuaded to transfer funds to "clear his name" from the investigation, with the promise that the amount would be refunded after verification. Under pressure, he transferred Rs 6 lakh. He later realised he had been cheated when his follow-up calls went unanswered.
CEO email scam costs man Rs 2 L
A private employee working for a lab equipment distribution firm lost Rs 2 lakh to cyber fraudsters who impersonated his company’s CEO and tricked him into purchasing gift cards under the pretext of a bonus assignment.
The victim, a resident of Dammaiguda, lodged a complaint with the Rachakonda cyber crime police. On August 5, he received emails from two fake IDs, which were supposedly from the CEO of the company he was working for.
The emails said a few employees had been selected for bonuses and requested Anirudh’s assistance in purchasing app store gift cards for distribution.
The victim used his account to buy 20 gift cards worth Rs 10,000 each, totalling Rs 2 lakh and shared the redemption codes over email.
When the scammers asked for more cards, supposedly for senior staff, the victim grew suspicious. A quick check revealed that the email IDs were not official. A phone call to the actual CEO confirmed no such request had been made. Realising he had been cheated, the victim filed a complaint with the cybercrime wing.