Bengaluru Senior Loses Rs 6.4 Lakh in Elaborate Old Currency Facebook Scam
In a distressing case of cyberfraud, a 67-year-old man from Bengaluru has been allegedly cheated of Rs 6.4 lakh after falling victim to a sophisticated online scam that began on Facebook. The incident highlights the growing menace of digital deception targeting vulnerable individuals.
The Deceptive Facebook Advertisement
According to the police complaint filed by the victim, a resident of Ejipura, the ordeal started on April 6. While browsing Facebook, he encountered an account operating under the name Rahul Kumar Jindal. This account was aggressively advertising high-value deals for old currency collections, promising massive financial returns for anyone possessing such notes and coins.
Intrigued by the lucrative offer, the senior citizen contacted three mobile numbers listed in the advertisement. He proceeded to share photographs of his personal collection of old currency notes and coins with the individuals behind the numbers, hoping to capitalize on the deal.
The Staggering Promise and Subsequent Demands
After reviewing the details and photos, the fraudsters made an astonishing claim. They assured the complainant that they would pay him a staggering sum of Rs 1.7 crore in exchange for his old currency collection. This enormous figure served as the primary bait to lure him deeper into the trap.
Soon after, the accused began intensifying their contact, using multiple phone numbers to communicate with the victim. They systematically convinced him to transfer money in various stages, citing a range of official-sounding pretexts designed to appear legitimate. These included demands for payments related to income tax, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The Financial Drain and Realization of Fraud
Between April 6 and April 7, the victim, under the influence of the fraudsters' persistent pressure, transferred a total of Rs 6,39,000. These transactions were executed through multiple channels, including RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement), NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer), and various digital payment applications. The funds were directed to different bank accounts provided by the accused.
The scammers repeatedly told him they would personally collect the old currency from him. However, they continuously demanded more money, inventing new reasons with each request. It was only after substantial financial loss that the victim realized he had been duped. When he confronted them and asked for his money to be returned, the fraudsters abruptly ceased all communication.
Police Action and Investigation
A formal case has been registered at the Central Cybercrime Police Station in Bengaluru. The charges have been filed under the relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and Section 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A senior police officer involved in the investigation stated that efforts are currently underway to trace and freeze the money from the bank accounts used by the fraudsters. This step is crucial to potentially recovering the lost funds and building a strong case against the perpetrators.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for the public, especially senior citizens, to exercise extreme caution when encountering unsolicited financial offers on social media platforms. Verifying the authenticity of such deals through official channels is essential to avoid falling prey to similar cybercrimes.
