A resident of Kolkata has fallen victim to a sophisticated online fraud, losing a substantial sum of Rs 80,000 to a scammer who impersonated a potential buyer on a digital marketplace. The incident, which highlights the growing risks associated with peer-to-peer online transactions, was reported to the Amherst Street police station.
The Deceptive Call and the Initial Hook
The ordeal began on December 18 when the complainant, located in the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sarani area, received a phone call. The caller, identifying himself as "Rahul Agarwal", claimed to have seen an online advertisement for a household sofa set and expressed immediate interest in purchasing it. To secure the deal, 'Agarwal' offered to pay an advance booking amount of Rs 5,000.
To initiate what seemed like a legitimate transaction, the caller first instructed the seller to transfer a nominal amount of Rs 2 to a specific Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ID: devirukmani22@bpunity. This small initial transfer is a common tactic used by fraudsters to build a false sense of security and legitimacy.
The Elaborate Web of Fraudulent Transactions
Once the initial contact was established, the scammer deployed what the police complaint describes as "fraudulent tactics, false assurances, and calculated misrepresentations." Posing as 'Rahul Agarwal', the fraudster contacted the victim from two different mobile numbers, adding another layer of deception.
Under the cleverly crafted pretext of a refundable "token" amount and a "verification" process, the caller systematically persuaded the Kolkata resident to send more money. The victim was directed to transfer funds repeatedly, not to one, but to multiple UPI IDs provided by the scammer. Each request was framed as a necessary step to complete the sale or to process the supposed refund, ultimately siphoning off Rs 80,000 from the unsuspecting seller.
The Aftermath and a Stark Warning
After successfully extracting the money, the fraudster's operation concluded abruptly. The phone used by 'Rahul Agarwal' was switched off, severing all contact and confirming the victim's fears that he had been cheated. The complainant subsequently filed a formal written report with the local police, who have now begun an investigation into the matter.
This case serves as a critical reminder for all Indians engaging in online buying and selling. Scammers are constantly devising new methods to exploit trust in digital platforms. Experts advise users to be extremely cautious with unsolicited calls, to avoid transferring money for "verification," and to complete transactions only through the secure, in-built payment systems of reputable online marketplaces that offer buyer and seller protection.
