Hyderabad Businessman Falls Victim to Elaborate iPhone Scam
In a brazen case of deception, a fraudster impersonating a customs official successfully duped a Secunderabad-based businessman of Rs 75,000 by falsely promising to sell him iPhones at a heavily discounted rate. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) police have officially registered a cheating case based on the victim's detailed complaint, which was filed on Tuesday.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
According to the official police report, the complainant, identified as 53-year-old Gyam Alfred, who operates a soft drink shop in close proximity to the Secunderabad railway station, was approached by the accused individual at approximately 9 am on Tuesday. The suspect, who was dressed in civilian clothing at the time, introduced himself as a Customs official.
"The imposter confidently promised to provide me with two iPhones along with some gold items at prices significantly below market value. Convinced by his convincing demeanor and the attractive offer, I agreed to purchase the iPhones for a total of ₹1 lakh," Alfred stated in his formal complaint to the investigating authorities.
The Airport Meeting and Cash Handover
The accused later instructed Alfred to meet him at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at noon to complete the transaction and receive the promised electronic devices. "I met him at the departure terminal as planned and initially handed over ₹70,000 in cash. He then demanded an additional ₹5,000, which I also provided. After collecting the full amount, he asked me to wait while he went to retrieve the iPhones. However, he never returned," the victim recounted, detailing the moment he realized he had been cheated.
Following this realization, Alfred immediately approached the airport police station to report the incident. The RGIA police promptly registered a formal case under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), namely sections 316(2), which pertains to punishment for criminal breach of trust, and 318(4), which addresses cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. The case was officially logged on Tuesday night.
Police Investigation and Public Advisory
RGIA Outpost Inspector S Kanakaiah provided an update on the ongoing investigation. "Our team is actively working to identify the accused by meticulously verifying the CCTV footage captured at various locations within and around the airport premises. We strongly advise the public to remain extremely vigilant against such fraudulent schemes and to immediately report any suspicious individuals or offers to the nearest police authorities," Inspector Kanakaiah emphasized.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by modern-day fraudsters, who often exploit trust and the allure of discounted luxury goods to execute their scams. The police investigation continues as authorities piece together the suspect's movements and identity from available digital evidence.
