A man, Suresh Chandra Sharma, lost approx. Rs 7.7 lakh while trying to apply for a PAN card for his great-grandson.
During his search, he came across two individuals who introduced themselves as customer service representatives.
The scammers told Sharma that he needed to act as a guarantor for the PAN card application.
In today’s digital world, online scams are becoming more common, and it’s easy to fall victim to fraud if you’re not careful. A recent case in Kanpur highlights just how dangerous these scams can be. A man, Suresh Chandra Sharma, lost approx. Rs 7.7 lakh while trying to apply for a PAN card for his great-grandson living in the United States. This incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in online transactions and how scammers exploit the trust of people searching for legitimate services.
Sharma, a resident of Navsheel Moti Vihar Sarvodaya Nagar in Kanpur, had been looking for help online to get a PAN card for his great-grandson, Kanishk Pandey. During his search, he came across two individuals who introduced themselves as customer service representatives.
Also read: Ahmedabad techie loses Rs 1 lakh after pressing ‘1’ on his phone: How the scam unfolded
The scammers, named Avinash Awasthi and Rajeev Ranjan, told Sharma that he needed to act as a guarantor for the PAN card application. They convinced him to share sensitive details, including his Aadhaar card, PAN card, and banking information, reports TOI.
On November 10, the fraudsters withdrew Rs 1,40,071 from one of his accounts and Rs 6,30,071 from another. Shocked by the sudden withdrawals, Sharma contacted both banks, filed a complaint with the police, and reported the incident to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The total amount stolen was Rs 7,70,143.
Also read: Digital arrest scam: Mumbai woman forced to strip, loses Rs 1.7 lakh
How to protect yourself from such scams
- Be cautious when sharing personal information online: Only share sensitive information like Aadhaar or bank details on trusted and official websites.
- Verify the authenticity of customer service numbers: Contact companies directly through official channels rather than relying on search engine results.
- Avoid unsolicited calls or messages: Be wary of unsolicited requests for your banking or personal details, especially when it comes to financial services.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Adding an extra layer of security to your bank accounts and online profiles can help protect you from unauthorised access.
- Report suspicious activities immediately: If you suspect any fraudulent activity, report it to your bank, the police, or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal right away.
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Ayushi Jain
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