Imagine scrolling through Facebook, coming across an ad that promises to buy your old coins for a great price. It sounds like an easy way to make some extra money, right? This is exactly what a man from Mangaluru thought when he saw such an advertisement. Little did he know, this seemingly harmless opportunity would lead him into a trap, costing him Rs 58.26 lakh.
The ordeal began on November 25 when the victim saw an advertisement on Facebook offering to buy old coins for a good price. Intrigued by the offer, he contacted the WhatsApp number provided in the ad.
The scammer initially asked for a small fee of Rs 750 to kickstart the process. Believing it was a reasonable charge, the victim transferred the money via UPI. However, this was just the beginning.
Soon, he was asked to pay more, citing various fees like GST, insurance, TDS, and even an RBI notice. Trusting that these payments were necessary, the victim continued to transfer money through different methods, including RTGS, NEFT, and UPI.
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Things took a darker turn on December 15 when the victim received a call from someone claiming to be the Mumbai Cyber Police Commissioner, Gaurav Shivaji Rao Shinde. The caller informed him that an RBI notice had been issued against him due to his financial transactions and threatened him with arrest. In fear of being jailed, the victim transferred an additional Rs 9 lakh to a bank account.
As the demands for money became more aggressive, the victim began to feel something was wrong. When he questioned the authenticity of the calls and messages, the threats only intensified. It was then that he realised he had been scammed.
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This case highlights the dangers of online scams, where criminals prey on unsuspecting individuals. To protect yourself, always verify the legitimacy of advertisements and offers, especially those that promise easy money. Be cautious when asked to make payments upfront or when the deal seems too good to be true. If you receive suspicious calls or messages, do not share personal information or money. Always report such incidents to the authorities immediately.