A 42-year-old homemaker from the Gunga area of Bhopal was allegedly duped of Rs 1.91 lakh by cyber fraudsters who lured her with a promise of earning Rs 22.5 lakh by selling an old Rs 5 currency note featuring a tractor image.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to police, the woman, identified as Reema (name changed), came across a Facebook post claiming that old Rs 5 notes with a tractor printed on them were being purchased for lakhs of rupees. Intrigued by the offer, she contacted the mobile number mentioned in the post.
The fraudsters asked her to send photographs of the old currency note along with her Aadhaar card and a selfie. Reema and her daughter shared the requested details via WhatsApp. Soon after, the accused informed her that the note had been valued at Rs 22.5 lakh and asked her to deposit Rs 620 as a registration fee to initiate the payment process.
Forged Documents Used to Gain Trust
To gain her confidence, the fraudsters allegedly sent forged documents purportedly issued by a Mumbai-based company, claiming that the transaction had been approved and payment was being processed. Once the woman fell into the trap, the accused repeatedly demanded money under various pretexts, including registration charges, file charges, file processing fees, GST, income tax clearance, data entry charges, and other administrative expenses.
Total Loss of Rs 1.91 Lakh
Police said Reema transferred a total of Rs 1.91 lakh to different bank accounts through multiple transactions. She arranged the money from her savings and also borrowed funds from relatives and family members in the hope of receiving the promised amount. The fraud came to light when the accused continued demanding more money even after receiving the payments. Realising that she had been cheated, the woman approached Gunga police station and lodged a complaint.
Investigation Underway
Based on her complaint, Gunga police registered an FIR on Sunday and launched an investigation. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the fraudsters used multiple mobile numbers and UPI accounts to execute the scam. Efforts are underway to trace the accused. Police have warned citizens to be cautious of such fraudulent offers and verify any such claims through official channels.
