A young man from Agra has become the latest victim of a sophisticated online gaming scam, losing a staggering sum of Rs 25 lakh after being lured by promises of easy money. The local police have registered a case and are now investigating the cyber fraud.
How the Online Gaming Scam Unfolded
The victim, identified as Umesh Singh, who is in his 30s, informed the police that he first encountered an advertisement for an online game. The ad aggressively claimed that users could earn large amounts of money through the platform. Intrigued by the prospect of quick earnings, Singh downloaded the application.
Once inside the app, he was shown simulated wins and a growing balance on his screen, building a false sense of trust and excitement. When he attempted to transfer these so-called 'winning amounts' to his personal bank account, the application prompted him to enter his sensitive banking details. He complied, unaware of the trap.
Rs 25 Lakh Siphoned Off in Multiple Transactions
The consequences were swift and devastating. Soon after he shared his bank details, money began to disappear from his account through a series of unauthorized transactions. By the time Singh realized he had been tricked, the fraudsters had allegedly siphoned off the entire amount of Rs 25 lakh.
Police reports state that the amount was withdrawn in seven separate transactions, indicating a coordinated effort to drain the funds quickly before the victim could react.
Police Action and Cyber Safety Warning
Upon discovering the fraud, Umesh Singh immediately contacted the official cybercrime helpline for assistance. He subsequently filed a formal complaint at the Sadar police station in Agra, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under the relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
ADCP (City) Aditya Kumar confirmed that the police are actively examining the fraudulent mobile application, the linked mobile numbers, and the bank accounts used to receive the stolen money. He also issued a crucial warning to the public.
"In the lure of easy entertainment and quick earnings, people often download APK files from unknown sources instead of the official Play Store," Kumar said. This practice makes their devices extremely vulnerable to such cyber frauds. He emphasized the importance of downloading apps only from trusted and official platforms to minimize security risks.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals who exploit the popularity of online gaming and the desire for supplemental income. Authorities urge citizens to exercise extreme caution, never share financial details with unverified apps, and report any suspicious activity immediately to the cybercrime cell.
