In a swift display of cybercrime resolution, the Oshiwara police in Mumbai successfully helped veteran actor Gajendra Chauhan recover a significant sum of money he lost to an online scam. The actor, famous for his role in the epic television series Mahabharat, was defrauded of Rs 98,000 through a deceptive Facebook advertisement. The police team managed to trace and freeze the transaction, ensuring a full refund within a remarkably short span of less than ten days.
The Deceptive Dry Fruit Offer on Facebook
The incident unfolded on December 10, when the 69-year-old actor was browsing Facebook. He came across an advertisement promoting dry fruits at seemingly irresistible, low rates. The ad cleverly mimicked the branding of a leading departmental store chain, lending it an air of legitimacy. Intrigued by the offer, Chauhan clicked on the provided link to place an order.
During the transaction process, he received a One-Time Password (OTP) on his phone. Believing the process to be genuine, he entered the OTP on the webpage. Immediately after this step, he was shocked to see that a hefty sum of Rs 98,000 was deducted from his bank account, not for dry fruits, but in an unauthorized transaction.
Police Action: A Coordinated Digital Investigation
Realizing he had fallen victim to a cyber fraud, Gajendra Chauhan promptly approached the Oshiwara police station to file a complaint. The case was taken up with urgency under the supervision of DCP Dikshit Gedam and Senior Inspector Sanjay Chavan.
A dedicated team, led by Sub-Inspector Sharad Devre, immediately sprang into action. Their first step was to meticulously analyze the actor's bank statement to pinpoint the exact transaction details. Understanding the critical time-sensitivity in such digital thefts, the officers then initiated contact with multiple nodal points in the financial chain.
The investigation involved coordinated efforts with:
- The nodal officer of Chauhan's bank.
- The concerned payment gateway company involved in the transaction.
- An electronic store where the fraudulently transferred amount had ultimately landed.
This multi-pronged approach was crucial in following the digital trail of the money.
Successful Recovery and a Timely Refund
Due to the prompt intervention and the formal request from the police, the transferred amount was successfully put on hold before it could be siphoned off further. Through persistent follow-ups and leveraging official channels, the Oshiwara police team ensured that the entire sum of Rs 98,000 was credited back to Gajendra Chauhan's account. The entire process, from filing the complaint to the refund, was completed in under ten days, a testament to the effective handling of the case.
This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of online shopping scams, where criminals create fake advertisements mimicking reputable brands to steal personal and financial data. It also serves as a strong reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution while clicking on online ads and entering OTPs, which are the final gateways for financial transactions.
The successful resolution of this case by the Mumbai Police demonstrates the importance of immediately reporting such frauds to law enforcement, as quick reporting can significantly increase the chances of recovering lost funds.
