Youth lost Rs 7.22 L to dating app scam
Hyderabad:A dating and friendship app gaining popularity on Instagram and other social media platforms has come under scrutiny after being misused in an elaborate scam. The app, called FRND, promotes the idea of making new friends and offers audio and video calling features. However, its rising traction attracted a scammer who duped a youngster under the pretext of sending gifts from the United States.
In a recent complaint filed with Rachakonda cyber crime police, a 21-year-old youth from Ramanthapur alleged he was cheated of Rs 7.22 lakh due to the app in July. The victim stated he was contacted by a person claiming to be Dr Ready Armstrong, a doctor from the US. The two soon shifted their conversation to WhatsApp, where the accused promised to send him expensive gifts and $2,40,000. Believing the claim, the youth shared his residential address.
Later, the complainant received a call from a woman claiming to be a customs officer in Delhi. She informed him that a parcel had arrived in his name and demanded Rs 2.52 lakh for customs clearance. The victim made multiple payments, starting with Rs 1.77 lakh, and eventually transferred a total of Rs7.22 lakh, believing the parcel and money were genuine and that he could recover the amount from the promised dollars.
After days of waiting, when no parcel arrived, the youth realised he had been duped. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.
Woman Maoist leader picked up
Hyderabad:A senior Maoist woman leader, believed to be Narla Sri Vidya, was reportedly picked up by plainclothes policemen from Hafeezpet here on Thursday. Police did not confirmed her arrest till late in the night.
Sources said Sri Vidya was the wife of central committee member Vasudeva alias Asanna. A case had been registered against Sri Vidya by LB Nagar police in 2019, after which she went absconding. Sources said she has not been active in recent party operations due to ill health and age-related issues.
Sri Vidya is the daughter of Narla Sudhakar Sharma. Her brother Ravi Sharma, a former Maoist, has returned to civilian life after serving over five years in prison. She married Vasudeva, a key figure in the Maoist party who is believed to have played a role in the attacks on IPS officer Umesh Chandra and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Alipiri.
Senior police officials acknowledged receiving information about the incident and said they were verifying the details. While they did not confirm her arrest, they also did not deny reports of her being picked up.
5 juveniles escape Saidabad centre
Hyderabad:Five minors ran away from an observation centre in Saidabad by breaking open the locks of main doors, Saidabad police said. The staff of the observation centre filed a complaint with Saidabad police after discovering the minors were missing.
Saidabad inspector B. Chandra Mohan said the minors, all accused in different offences and from different regions, had been shifted to the centre after being produced before various courts.
“The staff noticed their absence on Wednesday and informed senior officers. When the officials contacted their parents, they said the children had not reached home,” the inspector said.
The absconding minors include a boy from Nalgonda, another from Zaheerabad, and others from different locations. “We are searching for them by contacting their families and villagers. We are confident of tracing and apprehending them soon,” Chandra Mohan added.
