Man Arrested in Mangaluru for Rs 2.4 Lakh Credit Card Fraud Posing as Insurance Agent
In a significant cybercrime bust, the Dakshina Kannada District CEN crime police have arrested a man for allegedly defrauding a Puttur resident of Rs 2.4 lakh by impersonating an insurance company representative. The accused, identified as Avinash Ramesh Gowda, aged 24, hails from Maharashtra and was residing in Krishnarajapete, Mandya district at the time of the incident.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
The complainant, Yashodhara, a resident of Puttur, received multiple phone calls from an unidentified person using various mobile numbers. The caller claimed to be an executive from an insurance company and offered to process an insurance policy, requesting payment for the same. Initially, the complainant declined the offer.
However, the situation escalated when the accused informed Yashodhara that the insurance policy would be cancelled. Under this false pretext, he fraudulently obtained the complainant's credit card number and One-Time Password (OTP). Using these stolen details, the accused transferred Rs 2.4 lakh from the complainant's credit card to another account, executing the financial fraud.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The arrest was made on Wednesday, following a thorough investigation by the police. Avinash Ramesh Gowda was subsequently produced before the jurisdictional court, which remanded him in judicial custody. This swift action highlights the efforts of law enforcement in tackling cybercrimes in the region.
In connection with this incident, a case has been registered under Section 66(D) of the IT Act, which pertains to cheating by personation using computer resources, and Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), related to fraud and cheating. These charges underscore the serious nature of the offense and the legal framework being applied to combat such crimes.
Broader Implications and Public Awareness
This case serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of cyber fraud in India, particularly schemes involving impersonation and financial deception. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution when sharing personal or financial information over the phone, especially with unsolicited callers claiming to represent companies.
Residents are advised to verify the identity of callers through official channels and report any suspicious activities to the police immediately. The arrest in Mangaluru demonstrates the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting in preventing and addressing such fraudulent activities.
