Ponda Cyber Fraud: Interstate Gang Dupes Two Residents of Rs 4.9 Lakh in Separate Incidents
Ponda Cyber Fraud: Rs 4.9 Lakh Duped in Two Separate Incidents

Ponda Cyber Fraud: Interstate Gang Dupes Two Residents of Rs 4.9 Lakh in Separate Incidents

In a concerning development highlighting the rise of cybercrime, at least ten interstate cyber fraudsters have allegedly cheated two residents of Ponda, Goa, of a total of Rs 4.9 lakh in two separate incidents reported during the first week of February. Both victims, after realizing they had been duped, promptly approached the cyber cell, which registered their First Information Reports (FIRs) and subsequently transferred the cases to the Ponda police for further investigation.

First Case: Transport Company Owner Loses Rs 2.8 Lakh

In the first incident, Anil Kumar Singh, who operates a transport company in Santacruz, Ponda, was allegedly cheated of Rs 2.8 lakh. The fraudsters posed as truck drivers and contacted Singh under the pretext of arranging trucks to transport consignments from Mangaluru to Chhattisgarh. Around eight individuals, masquerading as drivers, agreed to deliver the goods after requesting advance payments. Trusting their assurances, Singh transferred the money through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to their mobile numbers. However, no one arrived to collect or transport the consignments, leaving Singh stranded and financially harmed.

Second Case: Job Seeker Duped of Rs 2.1 Lakh

In another distressing case, Darsh Shinkre of Shantinagar, Ponda, was allegedly duped of Rs 2.1 lakh by fraudsters who promised him a better job in a finance company based in Goa. The perpetrators lured Shinkre with false assurances of employment opportunities, leading him to transfer funds before realizing the scam. This incident underscores the vulnerability of job seekers to online fraud schemes.

Police Action and Legal Framework

The Ponda police have registered both cases under section 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deals with cheating and fraud offenses. The swift registration of FIRs by the cyber cell and their transfer to local authorities demonstrates a coordinated effort to tackle such crimes. Authorities are now investigating the interstate links of the fraudsters, who are believed to operate across state borders to evade detection.

Key Takeaways:

  • Victims lost significant sums through UPI transfers in both incidents.
  • The fraudsters used common tactics: posing as service providers and job recruiters.
  • Police are leveraging the BNS, 2023, to prosecute the offenders.

This series of cyber fraud cases in Ponda serves as a stark reminder for residents to exercise caution when dealing with unknown parties online, especially regarding financial transactions and job offers. The Ponda police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities immediately to prevent further victimization.